A group of disgruntled customers are seeking answers following the collapse of Southern Cross Garages, a shed company based in Nowra, New South Wales. The company’s liquidation has left more than 20 customers out of pocket, with some owed up to $50,000.
Joshua Purtell, a former director of Southern Cross Garages, who joined the business a year ago, expressed regret over the company’s collapse, citing a similar experience with another shed company over a decade ago. Purtell, who now operates Platinum Sheds, acknowledged the distress faced by customers like Jake Luppi and Kye and Connie Rollason who have not received the sheds they paid for.
Jake Luppi, who invested $39,000 in his dream shed, and the Rollasons, who paid $49,000 for their shed, were disappointed to find discrepancies in the delivered products, including incorrect specifications and structural issues. The Rollasons, in particular, faced challenges in setting up an off-grid solar system due to the faulty shed.
As customers delved into the backgrounds of the company directors, they discovered Purtell’s lavish lifestyle portrayed on social media, contrasting sharply with their financial losses. Purtell’s involvement in a previous shed company collapse in Queensland further fueled the customers’ frustration, leading to a lack of trust in the directors.
Amid accusations and blame-shifting between Purtell and his co-director Paul Naylor, customers struggled to obtain clear explanations or solutions regarding their outstanding orders. Naylor declined to comment on the allegations, redirecting inquiries to the liquidators overseeing the company’s collapse.
When questioned about the recurring collapses of shed companies he has been associated with, Purtell attributed the failures to partnering with the wrong individuals and expressed a commitment to delivering some of the missing sheds voluntarily, albeit with skepticism from affected customers.
Metroll Australia, a supplier involved in the shed deliveries, did not confirm the arrangements in place, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation. Regulatory bodies like the Queensland Office of Fair Trading have stepped in to assist affected customers, while the NSW agency’s response remains undisclosed, leaving customers perplexed and dissatisfied.
Customers like the Rollasons expressed outrage at the situation, labeling it as disgraceful and questioning how individuals responsible for such losses continue to lead luxurious lifestyles while leaving customers in financial distress. The lack of accountability and transparency in the company’s dealings has further exacerbated the customers’ grievances, underscoring the need for regulatory intervention and consumer protection.
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