Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council - Largest penalty to date upheld

EDMONTON, Feb. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council's decision to fine an Edmonton area curber $10,000 has been upheld. Monier Ahmed Elsafadi was curbing vehicles in the Edmonton area, which is selling vehicles to consumers without a retail licence. In at least one identified case, he misled a buyer about the condition of an SUV.

"This man not only not broke licensing laws, he took advantage of the buyer," John Bachinski, president and CEO of AMVIC said.

Elsafadi told the buyer that the BMW SUV was in good condition. This in fact was not the case.  AMVIC investigated and found the SUV was in poor condition.

"Elsafadi flipped the car, misrepresented its poor mechanical condition and profited from misleading the buyer," Bachinski said.

Bachinski, in his role as director of fair trading (as delegated), issued the $10,000 administrative penalty against Elsafadi on August 18, 2015. Elsafadi exercised his right to appeal. An independent appeal board, appointed by the Minister of Service Alberta, upheld AMVIC's decision on January 31, 2016.  

The appeal board accepted AMVIC's argument that Elsafadi either knew the SUV was in poor condition and lied to the buyer, or that he had no idea what condition it was in and misled the buyer by stating it was in good condition.

The appeal board also found that Elsafadi systematically bought and sold vehicles to Alberta consumers during 2014 and 2015 without being licensed to do so.

"We work hard to protect automotive consumers," Bachinski said. "This should be a clear message that misleading buyers is not tolerated."

AMVIC's Director of Fair Trading (as delegated) can impose an administrative penalty against a person who has contravened Alberta's Fair Trading Act or has failed to comply with a term or condition of their AMVIC business licence.

About AMVIC: The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) is a regulatory organization authorized by the Minister of Service Alberta to enforce and administer the following legislation in relation to automotive business: the Fair Trading Act; the Automotive Business Regulation; the Cost of Credit Disclosure Regulation, and the Internet Sales Contract Regulation. AMVIC's mandate is to provide consumer protection in Alberta's motor vehicle industry. AMVIC publishes valuable information and tips for consumers, businesses and salespeople at amvic.org.

SOURCE Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC)

Media inquiries may be directed to: Laura Lowe, Communications and Education Manager, Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council, 780-468-0476, [email protected]