Public Warning issued under Section 223 of the Australian Consumer Law (Victoria) 2010
The Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria has issued a Public Warning notice to consumers about the business practices of Mr Leonardo Palamara (also known as Tony Vincent) and Mrs Merryl Ybasco Villafuerte, trading as Solar Spark Electrical and AWS Eco Solutions.
Mr Palamara and Mrs Villafuerte operate businesses supplying solar panels advertised through door-to-door direct marketing or at advertising stands in suburban shopping centres.
The Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria has received a significant number of complaints from consumers who allege they paid deposits to businesses operated by Mr Palamara and Mrs Villafuerte for goods which were never supplied.
Consumers have also complained that representatives of the businesses operated by Mr Palamara and Mrs Villafuerte misled them as to the quality and effectiveness of the products supplied.
“Consumers should be cautious about relying upon information provided by a sales representative at an in-home visit or assessment and seek to independently verify any claims and the reputation of the business before paying any deposits”, Dr Claire Noone, the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria warns.