Car detailer Sam Baravelli fronts court on deceiving charges

A Footscray car detailer who allegedly held customers’ vehicles to ransom for huge additional payments has been slapped with more than 50 charges.

A Footscray car detailer accused of ripping off his customers, including holding their cars to random for huge additional payments, has been slapped with more than 50 charges.

Sam Baravelli, owner of the now closed Sam the Man Car Care, is facing 35 charges of obtaining by deception and another 20 of theft of motor vehicles following a litany of complaints to Consumer Affairs Victoria.

The complaints prompted the watchdog to issue a public warning in early 2024 about dealing with the mobile car detailing and car wash company.

Mr Baravelli fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was remanded on bail for a committal hearing on February 13.

Consumer Affairs Victoria had received more than 70 complaints from members of the public before police arrested and charged him.

Alleged dodgy car detailer Sam Baravelli is facing more than 50 charges after being accused of ripping off his customers.

Chief executive Nicole Rich said customers alleged Mr Baravelli’s company took significant deposits upfront from its customers before asking for further money while in possession of their vehicles.

The business would then allegedly hold on to the vehicles for an unreasonably long period.

Other allegations included making false or misleading representations about the price of its services and increasing the initial quote provided without consulting its customers.

Ms Rich said the business also allegedly charged for additional services customers did not request, failed to carry out services within agreed timeframes and returned vehicles with damages incurred.