Hillbilly Firewoods of Queensland Fined

Eric Frei · 28th January 2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine

Friday, January 25, 2008

Supplier burns $5000 for underweight firewood

A distributor who supplied underweight packs of firewood has been fined $5000 plus court costs in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Kerry Shine said.

Hillbilly Firewood Pty Ltd, a company owned and operated by Gary Jones of Somerset Dam, was charged with 10 counts of breaching the Trade Measurement Act 1990.

"The short-weight packages of firewood were found at a service station in Herston in August last year, during spot checks conducted by trade measurement inspectors from the Office of Fair Trading," Mr Shine said.

"Ten out of the 12 packages of firewood taken and weighed by the inspectors were found to be underweight by an average of 1.7 kilograms, or 8.5 per cent."

Mr Shine said the 20 kilogram packs of wood were sold for $14.99 each.

"While the discrepancies might seem relatively small, over time they can add up to the detriment of consumers," he said.

"The owner of the business told inspectors he employed backpackers to fill the bags with wood and he did not routinely check the weight of the product before it was sent to retailers. Instead he relied on 'feeling' the weight.

"He told inspectors he was aware the wood lost weight through dehydration after it was packed, but the magistrate said the company had a legal obligation to take this into account when it packaged the wood.

"It is simply not good enough to supply products without having an adequate checking measure in place.

“When consumers buy pre-packaged items, they usually have to rely on the weight quoted on the packaging, and they are entitled to get what they pay for.

"This penalty should serve as a warning to other traders throughout Queensland that they must abide by the laws put in place to protect consumers."

For more information about Queensland's trade measurement laws, visit the Office of Fair Trading website at WELCOME TO FAIRTRADING.COM.AU or call 13 13 04.

Media contact: Tim Goodwin, 3239 6400 / 0488 799 273

8.5% doesn't sound much but but 1.7kg short in a 20kg is bad, but when 10 out of 12 bags are tested to be underweight ... ASTA LA VISTA BABY!

newguy18 · 28th January 2008, 02:08 PM

hey thats how they make thier money.darn lowlifes.

shaggs · 1st February 2008, 10:08 AM

I remember hearing something about selling firewood in NSW. They said that we ould not sell by cubic meter but by weight?? The reason is it could be a cube stacked roughly, but when nicely stacked at the customers home it ends up being less!!
Thats why we end up giving away 1.3cube, plus for the "good will".
Anyone else heard this?
Cheers

Eric Frei · 1st February 2008, 03:23 PM

I know Americans talk cords, and a loose tossed cord ends up 50% more by volume than a neat stacked one.

I would say selling by weight if you had scales would be easier however not many people bring a weigh bridge along.

Selling by volume has it's own problem.

You buy 1kg of sugar you expect 1kg of sugar. You buy 1kg of grapes you expect 1kg of grapes regardless the size or spread. You buy 1m3 of soil/sand/chip etc from a landscape supplier you expect 1m3 ... but for chunky firewood stacked vs tossed ... equates 50% more req'd if tossed.... so 1.5m3

Going over is always better then under though.

Rob Chace · 28th January 2012, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

Source: Ministerial Media Statements

8.5% doesn't sound much but but 1.7kg short in a 20kg is bad, but when 10 out of 12 bags are tested to be underweight ... ASTA LA VISTA BABY!

so to put that into perspective he is "stealing $1.06 each sale"

Eric Frei · 29th January 2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robstar

so to put that into perspective he is "stealing $1.06 each sale"

Multiplied by the number of sales which we do not know but many many Servo's had this firewood in it, also could have been in Supermarkets too as I saw bagged firewood often, not sure if it was theirs.

28th January 2008, 02:08 PM	#2
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Hillbilly Firewoods of Queensland Fined hey thats how they make thier money.darn lowlifes. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

1st February 2008, 10:08 AM	#3
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 422	Re: Hillbilly Firewoods of Queensland Fined I remember hearing something about selling firewood in NSW. They said that we ould not sell by cubic meter but by weight?? The reason is it could be a cube stacked roughly, but when nicely stacked at the customers home it ends up being less!! Thats why we end up giving away 1.3cube, plus for the "good will". Anyone else heard this? Cheers

1st February 2008, 03:23 PM	#4
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Hillbilly Firewoods of Queensland Fined I know Americans talk cords, and a loose tossed cord ends up 50% more by volume than a neat stacked one. I would say selling by weight if you had scales would be easier however not many people bring a weigh bridge along. Selling by volume has it's own problem. You buy 1kg of sugar you expect 1kg of sugar. You buy 1kg of grapes you expect 1kg of grapes regardless the size or spread. You buy 1m3 of soil/sand/chip etc from a landscape supplier you expect 1m3 ... but for chunky firewood stacked vs tossed ... equates 50% more req'd if tossed.... so 1.5m3 Going over is always better then under though. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

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