Residents of Adelaide have been alerted to the presence of unsavoury tradies following a spike in complaints regarding questionable business practices. In light of these growing issues, the South Australian government has initiated a public awareness campaign to educate consumers.
The consumer watchdog is currently investigating Metropolitan Plumbing, a prominent plumbing and air conditioning provider in South Australia, amid allegations of unfair business dealings. One notable complaint comes from Sean Hill, who reported being quoted $32,000 for a new air conditioning unit. He recounted that representatives from the company seemed to expect an immediate acceptance of the quote, arriving with an iPad ready for financial arrangements. Taken aback by the exorbitant price, Hill opted to seek services elsewhere, ultimately paying just $7,000 for the same job.
In the past year, the consumer watchdog has received over 3,000 complaints regarding rogue tradies, with a significant portion directed at Metropolitan Plumbing. According to Consumer Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels, while the company may comply with legal requirements, they create difficulties for consumers in their business practices.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Metropolitan Plumbing continues to operate. Recently, the state government disclosed that measures have been implemented against the company, although specific details about these actions have not been revealed.