Hundreds of Western Australian customers of a chain of electrical shops owned by the failed Clive Peeters group have rushed state consumer protection offices seeking $1.1 million in deposits and goods awaiting delivery, it was reported today.
The West Australian newspaper reported the Department of Consumer Protection had received 480 calls from "disgruntled Rick Hart customers" and officers quoted expected that number to "skyrocket" today, putting pressure on the 25 people answering the State's consumer hotline.
Clive Peeters, the national electrical and whitegoods chain that owned 13 Rick Hart shops in WA went into voluntary administration on Wednesday owing $140 million.
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The department is building a database of customers to liaise with them and receivers to "try to get the best outcome" for those affected, a department spokesman told the newspaper.
"They should also contact the receiver and lodge their claims so that the receiver is aware of the outstanding purchases," he said
But the newspaper warned that customers who paid any monies were now unsecured creditors and may end up with nothing.
* updated 19:00 to reflect new customer figures
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