Major company collapses owing $1.3million leaving hundreds of Aussies in the lurch
- Transportable Shade Sheds has collapsed
- Customers left thousands of dollars out of pocket
- Angry customers started a Facebook group
A shed building company has suddenly collapsed – leaving Aussies across the country thousands of dollars out of pocket and in the lurch.
Transportable Shade Sheds, based on the Sunshine Coast, went into liquidation on Monday, leaving customers with half-built sheds.
The business owed at least $1.3 million to about 160 trade supplies and creditors.
A Facebook group was previously set up by affected customers and has been flooded by angry Aussies, some who claim to have paid $25,000 for sheds that have never been delivered.
Robson Cotter of Robson Cotter Insolvency Group, revealed staff were also owed money in holiday pay, superannuation and other costs.
Transportable Shade Sheds, based on the Sunshine Coast, went into liquidation on Monday, leaving customers with half-built sheds
According to Australian Security and Investment Commission documents Robert Salomon, originally from the UK, is the company director
He told the Courier Mail: ‘And at least that amount again in customers with partially or fully incomplete orders.
‘The amount potentially owing to customers with partially or fully incomplete orders delivered is currently unquantified.’
Chris Reeds, from Beenleigh, is a member of the Facebook group and says he lost $6000 after ordering a shed from the company to cover his campervan.
‘It’s quite amazing when you hear the stories of what other people have gone through.
‘My wife and I had saved for quite some time to be able to afford this.
‘It’s extremely stressful at the moment and I’ve never been in this position.’
Another customer wrote: ‘Has anyone worked out a way to get your money back? We paid over $9000 for a double shed. It’s money we just can’t afford to lose.’
According to Australian Security and Investment Commission documents Robert Salomon, originally from the UK, is the company director.
Robson Cotter of Robson Cotter Insolvency Group, revealed staff were also owed money in holiday pay, superannuation and other costs
Mr Salomon and his wife Kylie run the firm but a liquidator report showed that there were six companies set up as a group of related entities.
‘The affairs of the companies are intertwined such that there is intercompany payables and receivables between multiple entities that require investigations and potential recovery between entities,’ the report read.
Industry leaders have warned financial woes will see the building industry crisis worsen amid repeated interest rate rises and skyrocketing material costs.
Across Australia, there were 549 administrations and liquidations in March alone, a jump of 23 per cent when compared to last year.