Brew-pub owner facing eye-watering payout over caravans

THE owner of a popular Paradise Point brew-pub has been ordered to pay more than $460,000 in fines and compensation to customers of his caravan company.

Brewed Brewery Taphouse and Grill owner Daniel Robert Klaus, 34, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court last week to 16 charges including failing to supply caravans to customers of Viking Caravans and Campers Ltd and trading without a motor dealer licence.

The charges were laid following an investigation by the Office Of Fair Trading.

Mr Klaus, who was sole director of Runaway Bay-based Viking Caravans, was fined $20,000 and his company fined an additional $20,000.

He was also ordered to pay $417,800 in compensation to consumers as well as more than $3,000 in court fees.

The court heard that between 2018 and July 2020 Mr Klaus received deposits from five customers for the building of new caravans and also arranged to sell used caravans for two others on consignment.

Mr Klaus advised consumers of delivery dates for their new caravans but several months later, they had not received them, it was alleged.

Customers who contacted him about the delay were told by Mr Klaus that he had ended his relationship with the caravan manufacturer. They were offered refunds or the opportunity to build a new caravan with another brand. However, after months of waiting no refunds were forthcoming.

One person who had left their caravan with Mr Klaus to sell on their behalf was not told about its sale nor how much it had sold for. He sold another customer’s caravan for $130,000, but after months of chasing Mr Klaus, they only ever received a small portion of what they were owed.

Another affected consumer received a defective caravan. After months of negotiating Mr Klaus said he would provide a replacement, but it was never delivered.

Attorney-general and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the successful prosecution of Klaus and Viking Caravans was a reminder to businesses that they would be held accountable if they “ripped off” consumers.

“Queensland consumers should be confident that they get the product they pay for,” Minister Fentiman said.

Klaus appears to have had more success with his Brewed Brewery venture, of which he is also the sole director.