Furniture retailer’s consumer law breaches across three states not so suite
- Furniture retailer pleads guilty to failing to supply goods to 16 customers across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
- Consumers paid nearly $22,000 in deposits for furniture they never received.
- Director of Johnny’s Furniture Group Pty Ltd, Jonathan Raymond McDonald was ordered to pay a total of almost $32,000 in fines, compensation and other costs.
A furniture retailer who failed to supply goods or repay deposits to consumers across three Australian states has been fined a total of $31,808.70 after pleading guilty to 16 charges in Pine Rivers Magistrates Court today.
Jonathan Raymond McDonald, as sole director of Johnny’s Furniture Group Pty Ltd, failed to supply goods after consumers had paid deposits and failed to refund their money when requested, in breach of Australian Consumer Law.
The charges follow an extensive investigation by Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Johnny’s Furniture Group Pty Ltd had 23 stores in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, trading as Johnny’s Furniture and Ashley Homestore, and used a website to promote their goods online.
Investigators found that between June 2023 and January 2024, Mr McDonald received payment totalling almost $21,697 from 16 customers to supply furniture items, including lounge suites, bedroom and dining room furniture, chairs and bookcases.
The consumers were located in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and, when attempting to engage with the company, were given varying reasons for delays in delivery, including alleged issues with suppliers and transporters.
Johnny’s Furniture Group Pty Ltd went into administration and closed its 23 stores across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in June 2024, going into liquidation on 10 July 2024.
Mr McDonald has been ordered to pay $21,697 in total compensation to the 16 consumers.
He was also fined $10,000 and must pay a further $111.70 in court costs. No conviction was recorded.
Commissioner for Fair Trading Victoria Thomson said the OFT was committed to bringing traders operating in breach of Australian Consumer Law before the courts to seek justice and compensation for customers.
“This trader’s blatant disregard for Australia’s consumer protection laws not only impacted consumers in Queensland but two other states, and in many cases affected these people’s ability to live comfortably in their own homes,” Ms Thomson said.
“When consumers pay their hard-earned money for goods, they’re entitled to expect that they’ll get what they paid for, or at the very least, have any deposits repaid where items can’t be supplied, not be given poor excuses and more delays.
“The Australian Consumer Law was designed to give consumers confidence and protection, foster competition and create a fair marketplace, so where we become aware that someone’s breaching their legal obligations, we will act.”
If you have not received goods or services that you paid for, and have not been able to resolve the issue with the trader, you can make a complaint to OFT at qld.gov.au/fairtrading