Moving house is often a stressful time, with a seemingly endless list of tasks to complete before settling into your new abode. One Perth mum, Kathleen Grace Moko, learned this the hard way when her attempt to simplify the process by hiring help for rubbish removal turned into a costly and frustrating debacle.

Kathleen, from Kingsley in Perth's north, was preparing to move home and needed to dispose of some unwanted rubbish. She turned to social media, a common place to find a variety of services, and found a removalist who agreed to take away her trash for an $80 fee. Trusting in the convenience of the digital age, she thought she had one less thing to worry about.

However, the situation quickly soured. After loading the rubbish onto the removalist's ute, Kathleen's car broke down, leaving her stranded and unable to answer calls from the removalist, who claimed he had been waiting for her for 30 minutes. In a turn of events that seems almost too absurd to be true, Kathleen later discovered her rubbish unceremoniously dumped back on her driveway, along with a demand for an additional $295 to have it collected again.

Perth mum's hired removalist from social media dumped rubbish back on her driveway. Credit: Facebook

The removalist's justification? A $45 fee at the tip and Kathleen's missed calls. Despite having been paid $80, which could have covered the tip fee, the removalist chose to abandon the job and pocket the cash. What followed was a series of heated text exchanges, with Kathleen demanding her money back and the removalist insisting he had done his part.

The ordeal left Kathleen out of pocket by $375, a sum that included the original $80 fee, the additional $295 for a second rubbish removal, and the emotional toll of the experience. As a mother of an autistic son, Kathleen expressed that every dollar counts, and the unexpected financial strain was more than just an inconvenience—it was a significant setback.

This cautionary tale serves as a reminder to our readers, especially those in the over-60s community who might be considering downsizing or moving, to be vigilant when hiring services through social media or unverified platforms. Here are some tips to help you avoid a similar nightmare:

1. **Seek Recommendations**: Ask friends, family, or neighbors if they can recommend a reliable removalist or rubbish disposal service they've used before.

2. **Check Reviews**: Look for online reviews and ratings of the service provider. A reputable business should have a track record of satisfied customers.

3. **Verify Credentials**: Ensure the removalist is licensed and insured. This can protect you from liability and ensure that you're dealing with a legitimate service.

4. **Get a Written Quote**: Before agreeing to any service, ask for a written quote that details the job scope and total cost. This can prevent unexpected charges.

5. **Keep Records**: Always keep a record of payments and communications. If disputes arise, this documentation can be invaluable.

6. **Know Your Rights**: Familiarize yourself with consumer protection laws in your area. If you're not satisfied with a service, you may be entitled to a refund or compensation.

7. **Plan Ahead**: If possible, plan your rubbish removal well in advance of moving day to allow time for any unforeseen issues.

Kathleen's story is a stark reminder that not all services meet our expectations, and sometimes, trying to save time and money can end up costing us more in the long run. As she considers her legal options and works to recover from this setback, let her experience be a lesson to us all.

Key Takeaways

• A Perth mum hired a removalist from Facebook to take away rubbish, but it was dumped back on her driveway.
• The removalist charged her an $80 fee and did not pay the tip fee of $45, instead opting to return the rubbish.
• After the rubbish was returned, the mum incurred an additional $295 fee to have it collected and is frustrated by the lack of service.
• The removalist has blocked the mum on social media after a series of heated exchanges, and she is considering legal action to recover her costs.

We invite our readers to share their own experiences with moving house and hiring removalists. Have you encountered similar issues, or do you have advice on how to ensure a smooth transition when relocating? Share your stories and tips in the comments below, and let's help each other avoid the pitfalls of moving.

 

[FrankS]

Foolish woman to pay this a-hole a second time. Surely it would have been better to find someone else to do the job AND NAME and SHAME the removalist ! It bet he'd have changed his tune when the BAD publicity hit him.

 

[scifibob]

thats cheap --here in cairns if I take the above items to the tip the mattress is $25 each
and the other items are at nearly $300 / ton and you have to go over weigh bridge and min cost $70
[cost went up 1/7 so not sure what it is now]
and of course you have to separate the different items to go to different sections of the tip so not hard to spend a fair bit of time just to unload
yes the bloke who dumped it is crap but how long do you wait -my guess he went to tip and was told how much and said stuff that

 

[Veggiepatch]

A bit off topic but here goes.

I scattered a large quantity of rubbish on a neighbour's verandah when he decided to completely fill to overflowing, our empty large recycling bin.

His mistake? Leaving an envelope with his name and address in the rubbish. Idiot!

It never happened again. He messed with the wrong person!