Digital ad agency the Community Network under investigation over customer complaints

THESE are the UK- and Caymans-based directors of a digital ad agency being investigated over allegations it fails to deliver.

Cheers, beer but no value-ad here

SMALL business alert: beware of the Community Network, under investigation by fair trading authorities amid allegations it fails to deliver digital advertising and keeps on charging customers who have told it to stop.

Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading has already hauled in representatives of the Community Network to answer questions about customer complaints.

The OFT said it is “currently investigating the company to establish whether the transactions are contractual matters ... or if they constitute breaches of the Australian Consumer Law”.

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If the “transactions” — which cost small businesses thousands of dollars — are covered by the ACL, the OFT will consider enforcement action. It’s understood NSW Fair Trading and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission are supporting the probe.

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Caption: A Multimedia International Services director celebrates a win at the craps table shortly after visiting Australia to check on the Community Network in December 2013. Source: Facebook

“It’s the worst business experience we’ve had in eight years of operation,” said Jodee Wearne, owner of Perth gift-hamper business Just In Time Gourmet.

It took more than six months for Community Network to produce ads, Ms Wearne said, and even then the photos were fuzzy. She tried to end the agreement but couldn’t. She’s locked in until November at a cost of more than $4000.

In April last year Ambarvale Fish Market signed up to digital ads meant to be shown at south-western Sydney medical centres. The business’ lawyer Greg Moutzouris said: “They paid $4610 ... and to date the advertising they were promised has not eventuated.”

Another upset customer, Gary Smith, who has run Ballarat-based website-hosting business CAS Netlink for 20 years, said: “I’ve never seen a contract that requires you to give a full year’s notice before the anniversary of your next renewal ... by registered mail.”

Mr Smith, who paid more than $4000, has also never seen an invoice. Nor has Ms Wearne.

Directors of Multimedia International Services aka Community Network at Dreamworld. Picture: Facebook

“Their standard of practice is extremely poor,” said Peter Locke, director of Rehab Health & Fitness in Strathfield, who was recently hit with a $1900 charge after his contract “rolled over” — despite him seeking to terminate the deal. He is disputing the charge and said NSW Fair Trading has told him “there are aspects of the contract that may not be enforceable”. As with Ms Wearne, it took six months for an ad to be produced.

News Corp Australia is aware of complaints from other businesses in Victoria and Sydney, as well as from Cairns and South Australia.

Customer concerns date back to 2010. But the UK and Caymans-based directors of the entity behind Community Network, Multimedia International Services, appeared untroubled when they gathered on the Gold Coast in late 2013 to check on their Australian operation.

After a board meeting, some “team building” at Dreamworld and a few boozy meals, they jetted off to consider other parts of their empire, which spans Ireland, Canada, the UK and New Zealand.

The company did not respond to repeated requests for comment, other than to say that after the Ambarvale Fish Market’s concerns were brought to its attention by News Corp Australia, an “amicable proposal” was made and accepted yesterday.