South Australian woman accused of calisthenics dance costume ‘rip-off’ in online storm

A South Australian woman has been slammed by an online calisthenics community who claim she ripped them off.

A South Australian woman has been slammed by an online calisthenics community who claim she ripped them off with the promise of stunning calisthenics costumes that never eventuated, or arrived in poor quality.

Parents of children involved in the sport across Australia, shared similar stories of lies and excuses they were provided by the scamming seller.

Cheryl* from Victoria is one of the mums who’s been left out of pocket.

An SA woman has been criticised by an online calisthenics community who claim she ripped them off. Picture: Supplied

She posted in a calisthenics “buy, swap, sell” page on Facebook on January 4 asking for help with a costume for her 16-year-old daughter when a fellow “cali-mum” reached out to her offering to help.

“She really came across as a genuine, lovely lady in the conversations,” Cheryl said.

“You’d send her a message, she would reply straight back.”

Cheryl sent the woman a photo of the costume she wanted with a sheer bodice and intricate gems on the top half.

After discussing the design and sending through measurements, Cheryl was quoted $340 and was asked to send through a $150 deposit, which she did.

Cheryl said $340 was more expensive than the usual price she had paid in the past, but believed the “professional” quality would match the cost.

“It was a Thursday (when I sent her) the deposit, and then I kept asking for an update … that she got the deposit and still nothing,” Cheryl said.

“That’s when the alarm bells starting going off.

Other parents share their experiences with the seller on Facebook. Picture: Supplied

Parents claim costumes were never made or arrived in poor quality. Picture: Supplied

“It wasn’t until then, that’s when I did my research and found all these other women.”

In messages seen by The Advertiser, the woman used excuses, including it was her daughter’s birthday or her child was ill when explaining why she hadn’t responded to messages or completed the costume.

Messages from costume maker. Picture: Supplied

The woman uses excuses including it was her daughter’s birthday or her child was ill. Picture: Supplied

Cheryl uncovered stories from various other members of the calisthenics community who had also been left in the lurch by the SA woman.

Since reaching out to The Advertiser, Cheryl has received messages and comments from at least 50 other parents who have been affected.

It was only when Cheryl threatened to get the police involved that she received a response from the South Australian woman.

“(She said) ‘I don’t do refunds’ and I said, ‘that’s OK, just send the material that I paid for, at least post those to me’,” Cheryl said.

The woman insisted that she could still make the costume in the three to four week time- frame she had promised.

Cheryl has not received any response since January 28.

The Advertiser has approached the South Australian woman for comment.

*not her real name.

Originally published as South Australian woman accused of calisthenics dance costume ‘rip-off’ in online storm