Dozens of families who shelled out tens of thousands of dollars to buy the trailers of their dreams were left with nothing after a company took their money and went bankrupt.
Victoria-based Tango Caravans has been placed into liquidation and is owed a significant amount of cash to 85 creditors – more than 60 of them customers who spent their savings or took out loans to buy caravans they never received.
“Our family’s dream was stolen by Tango Caravans, leaving us $83,000 in debt with a five-year repayment plan and a balloon payment looming,” Queensland woman Taisha Ellis told Daily Mail Australia.
Ms Ellis and her partner were told they would have their custom-made caravan within two weeks of placing their purchase order, but when it never arrived they contacted the manufacturer used by Tango Caravans.
That company told them they were already owed so much money from Tango that they were refusing to build any orders, and Ms Ellis demanded to know where her money had gone.
“What was supposed to be a fresh start for our family has turned into a financial nightmare,” she said.
Andrew Yeo of Pitcher Partners has been appointed liquidator of the company. The company’s website includes a link to a notice to creditors saying the company’s finances are being reviewed.
Sylwia Logan, who moderates the Facebook group Tango Owners Australia, said she has gone from customers discussing designs, models and where they would travel with their new purchase to “over 40 people who are now struggling financially and desperate because of this company”.
Taisha Ellis and her husband Jaime paid for their ‘dream’ through Tango Caravans, but said they were left without a caravan and with a debt of $83,000
Tango Caravans offered custom-made caravans that were built by a third party.
Ms Logan explained that she ordered her caravan in December last year and was told in March that work had already started.
‘In May I was told I had to pay the full amount because it was a custom caravan that I had made equipment decisions for and it would be difficult to resell.
“After I paid they stopped communicating.”
Ms Logan said that after being repeatedly fobbed off with excuses about delays, broken parts and key staff being sick, she took matters into her own hands.
The week before the settlement, Ms Logan said she went to the Tango Caravan facility and told them she would not leave without a refund.
She said that after “office hours” she was handed a written letter saying she would be given a full refund within days, but the business was then placed into administration.
‘I paid a $15,000 deposit and took out loans for $60,000 and now I have a huge debt for something that doesn’t belong to me.
“I have two children and this was supposed to allow me to work part-time, travel and strengthen family ties, but now I’m back to working full-time and spending less time with my children.”
The liquidator has told clients they are unlikely to recover much, if any, of their money.
The company’s liquidation also left Sylwia Logan’s family (pictured) without a caravan and in considerable debt, and Ms Logan says it is clear from a Facebook group she moderates that dozens of customers have been affected.
Ms Logan said she called police, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Consumer Affairs Victoria and her banks in an attempt to get her money back without success.
He has now contacted the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and says he hopes for a better outcome.
‘In July, orders for caravans were still being received… People might think I’m naive, but it’s easy to say that in retrospect.’
Other affected customers include Ali Winter, 41, her husband and three children, who sold their home to travel around the country in their new camper van.
She said they took a short-term rental while they waited for their trailer and when the term expired, the family of five has been living in their car while they wait for their home on wheels.
He said that with the collapse of Tango, they will now likely apply for a permanent rental property.
Sarah Horter is listed as the sole director of Tango Caravans and has been contacted for comment.
Sarah Horter is listed as the sole director of Tango Caravans, which is in liquidation.
Liquidator Mr Yeo said that based on his preliminary investigations, Tango is not in a position to refund customers.
He said it appears Tango does not have any stock of caravans on site.
“It is possible that some caravans are currently being manufactured by external suppliers and that a partial solution may be possible,” he said.