Warning out on tree loppers

AN 83-year-old Bundaberg man has complained to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) after he suspected unlawful business practices of a tree lopper.

Elevisi Moli is the All Qld Tree Services, Kingston, Brisbane-based proprietor. It is believed Mr Moli and a group of workers are known to travel around Queensland peddling their services door to door.

The Bundaberg man said he was pressured to go to the bank and withdraw $8000 to pay for two trees to be cut down and others to be trimmed.

It is not the first time someone has paid All Qld Tree Services, with a Maryborough woman also paying the company $10,500 to have the branches on a tree and yard trimmed.

The Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said the OFT had reason to believe the service was ripping Bundaberg people off, particularly vulnerable pensioners.

“Earlier this year the OFT launched an investigation into the practices of All Qld Tree Services,” he said.

“Those investigations are continuing and relate to serious breaches of the door-to-door provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1989.

“In the meantime, I encourage Queenslanders to be very wary if approached at home by this company.”

Investigations have identified amounts charged by All Qld Tree Services far exceed the expected price for the amount of work done.

Mr Lawlor said it was believed the company only accepted cash and pressure tactics were used.