The court heard that between 2020 and 2023 SNB Plus 3 Pty Ltd (SNB) accepted $70,000 in payments from consumers for trailers but failed to supply the trailers within a reasonable timeframe or sometimes at all.
NSW Fair Trading prosecuted SNB and its manager Bradley Martin for the failures to supply; and company director Sarah Martin for being involved in the motor dealer industry while disqualified.
During the proceedings, Kempsey Local Court heard evidence about multiple consumers who engaged with SNB, including two that paid $12,000 and $11,750 respectively for trailers they didn’t receive.
On 9 August, Kempsey Local Court sentenced the defendants to the following:
- SNB was fined $8,000 and ordered to pay $4,000 in legal costs
- Mr Martin was fined $2,000, ordered to pay $42,315 in compensation to multiple consumers and $4,000 in legal costs
- Ms Martin was ordered to pay $5,232.80 in compensation and $4,000 in legal costs
Separate to compensation orders, a number of consumers who had not received goods from SNB either received the custom-trailers they paid for or a refund after NSW Fair Trading involvement.
All parties have a right to appeal.
Quotes attributable to NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann:
“This outcome is a win for consumers and should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with non-supply of goods.”
“We encourage consumers who feel they have been wronged by a supplier to bring the matter to NSW Fair Trading for investigation. We are here to fight for consumers.”
