WA horse float business to pay $135k

A horse float business has been ordered to pay more than $135,000 after accepting payments but failing to do the work and operating without a licence in Western Australia.

Robert William O'Neil, trading as Izz-Wil-Cal Floats, was fined $60,000 plus ordered to pay $73,264 in compensation and $2131 in costs after pleading guilty in Midland Magistrates Court this week to eight charges.

Between October 2012 and January 2014 O'Neil received deposits from seven customers for the construction of custom-designed horse floats or the repair of horse floats, but failed to supply the goods or carry out the repairs within a reasonable time, Consumer Protection said.

In one case, a customer paid the full amount up front of $45,000 to have a float built but had not received it almost three years later.

Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said paying large amounts of money up front put consumers at great risk.

"We strongly recommend that consumers only pay a small deposit, about 10 per cent in most circumstances, and only make progress payments at various stages after confirmation that materials have been ordered and the work is being carried out in a timely manner or as agreed," he said.

"Generally, consumers should not pay the balance though until goods have been delivered or services carried out to their complete satisfaction."

Mr Hillyard said paying large deposits or the full amount up front gave all the power to the trader and diminished a consumer's ability to negotiate if they were not satisfied with the quality of the goods or standard of the work.