Modern Group NSW, Sydney Questions & Answers

Hi W M S, The Modern Group always complies with with the current legislation, depending on the situation, our contracts can have Cooling-Off periods or Non Cooling-Off periods. If you would like further information on your contract it is best to speak with your local branch in 13 11 78.

Kind Regards,

The Modern Customer Care Team

Most likely, if you got a surrounding frame, the panels can be modified to be mounted directly into the window opening. Any carpenter can do this for you.

Yes they do I just signup today and they have 40% discount if you install more than 4

Just be very very careful what you sign with them. They offer you this "unbelievable" finance offer with associated "discount" but the devil is in the small print. They offer identical products to many places but just at a much higher price which they then bring down to make the sale. Make sure you get a second quote (Modern invariably will tell you that deal will only be valid for that day - ignore that desperate sales pitch)

Hi Slavko, Would you please be able to email your details (name, full address, contact number) to customercare@moderngroup.com.au. We will then be able to organise someone to come out and give you a quote. Kind Regards, The Modern Customer Care Team

first of all the shutters have a 2yr warr and motor 5 yr warr so there should not be any call out fee. they have to repair at no cost to you!!!!

Hi - one of my shutters got stuck on open. I manually pulled it down and it has not been a problem since. Maybe try to open manually?

Mine only lasted 18 mths too. Modern only had 12mths warranty even though mine were $1500 to $1800 each. The salesman gave us the impression they had a 5 year warranty. Make a big deal and they may repair for cheaper.

Hi Rose, we recently had shutters installed from the Modern Group. We are thrilled with the workmanship and quality of these blinds. Not only do they completely shut out the light but now we have absolutely no condensation from these windows at all. Also they are operated from inside the house so are extra security for our precious house. The workmen who installed the shutters were very professional, friendly and cleaned up after themselves. They also explained how to operate and recharge the controls. Can't say enough how happy we are with these shutters, good luck, hope this is some help to you. ☺☺

Hi Glenda,

I have seen really bad reviews about the "smart drive" technology used by Modern and so am a little wary about using this company. But thankyou for your reply.

Cheers Rosa

Hi Alison, Yes we do install plantation shutters, if you would like a quote please respond with your details (full name, address and phone number). We will have someone from your state get in touch to discuss a time we can come see you.

Kind Regards,

The Modern Customer Care Team

Hi Ming, We would need to take a look at the window, especially because it is indoors, and take measurements in order to give you an accurate quote and make sure our product would fit into your window. If you could please respond with your details (full name, phone number and address) and we will have someone get in contact with you shortly.

Kind Regards,

The Modern Customer Care Team

Ming shutters don't actually reduce noise much. Nothing short of baffled specially designed materials will do that. Shutters have other benefits.

Hi Ellen, We would be very happy to help you with a quotation. If you could please send your contact details (name, address, phone number) to customercare@moderngroup.com.au we will arrange this for you. Kind Regards, The Modern Customer Care Team

Hi Col, Thank you for your enquiry. Cooling off details can be found in the documentation of the contract, in the terms and conditions on page 2, which describes the relevant cooling off period.

Relevant cooling off notices are also supplied in the agreement documentation as relevant to the type of agreement the client has.

If there you have any questions please call our team in Queensland on 07 3902 7300 who will be able to look up the order and advise accordingly.

Thanks,

Modern

I suggest you get onto Consumer Affairs. From my dealings with Modern - fortunately cancelled contract because of a totally unrealistic price and totally unprofessional. Consumer Affairs will get up their jumper and push them. Good luck. Being ripped off is not the Australian Way!!

I have the same problem and had on a few of my shutters when I first installed them. Just terrible quality.

look outside on the end plate of the shutter. There are 2 screws ,and if those are more than 4 inches apart, you got a motor problem. common with those models when they get old. You may have a L10, but you really want a T20 in those.

I would be asking for a refund! The consultant said that only the cheap shutters made in china give of smells and warp etc... But I don't know because we didn't buy any shutters. Ring the company and ask them, then if they don't answer you go to department of fair trading to see what can be done.

Generally 10 business days but if you're happy to put a sign in your front yard Modern may be willing to drop it as low as 3!

I got told there wasn't one. I told the salesman I would like some time to think about it, he essentially yelled at me that the offer was only valid today and if I didn't take it, he'd give it to someone else. Haha. I declined the offer!

it is 5 days or 10 cant remember by law regardless of moderns small print ring Consumer Protection | Department of Commerce they will tell you your rights just went threw same thing getting out of no cooling off period lols thanks Consumer Protection

Hi, Consumer Protection WA here. If you have signed up to a contract as a result of a visit from a salesman when you have asked a company to provide a quote, you may be eligible to a 10 business day cooling off period under the Australian Consumer Law’s unsolicited consumer agreement requirements. If you would like to know more visit Consumer Protection’s website at external link  or contact us on 1300 30 40 54 for more information.

Just curious (consumer protection) how is it unsolicited when the consumer called the sales rep and requested the visit and quote, if the sales rep did not knock on their door, the customer called the company direct and asked for the appointment????

Hi, Section 69 of the Australian Consumer Law 2011 states: 69 Meaning of unsolicited consumer agreement (1) An agreement is an unsolicited consumer agreement if: (a) it is for the supply, in trade or commerce, of goods or services to a consumer; and

(b) it is made as a result of negotiations between a dealer and the consumer:

(i) in each other's presence at a place other than the business or trade premises of the supplier of the goods or services; or

(ii) by telephone;

whether or not they are the only negotiations that precede the making of the agreement; and

(c) the consumer did not invite the dealer to come to that place, or to make a telephone call, for the purposes of entering into negotiations relating to the supply of those goods or services (whether or not the consumer made such an invitation in relation to a different supply); and

(d) the total price paid or payable by the consumer under the agreement:

(i) is not ascertainable at the time the agreement is made; or

(ii) if it is ascertainable at that time--is more than $100 or such other amount prescribed by the regulations.

(1A) The consumer is not taken, for the purposes of subsection (1)(c), to have invited the dealer to come to that place, or to make a telephone call, merely because the consumer has:

(a) given his or her name or contact details other than for the predominant purpose of entering into negotiations relating to the supply of the goods or services referred to in subsection (1)(c); or

(b) contacted the dealer in connection with an unsuccessful attempt by the dealer to contact the consumer.

(2) An invitation merely to quote a price for a supply is not taken, for the purposes of subsection (1)(c), to be an invitation to enter into negotiations for a supply.

(3) An agreement is also an unsolicited consumer agreement if it is an agreement of a kind that the regulations provide are unsolicited consumer agreements.

(4) However, despite subsections (1) and (3), an agreement is not an unsolicited consumer agreement if it is an agreement of a kind that the regulations provide are not unsolicited consumer agreements.

S69(2) is relevant to your question as it is designed to stop high pressure selling once a salesman is inside someone’s home.

Get these guys to give you a quote external link  or external link  Endless solar is aussie made and the collector (the bit that sits on the roof) is made out of copper with a aussie made stainless steel tank evacuated tube technology this is the next generation in solar hot water far superior to any any flat panel on the market. by the way Modern uses vitreous enamel storage tank this will have a very short life span with the higher temperatures used by solar hot water systems

I don't have solar hot water so I can't honestly answer your question Ciaran14 but I think andysgalant is good advice, knowing what I know now I wouldn't have gone with modern.

I can't comment for your case, but in mine they quoted a crazy amount and my experience indicates they deliver poor quality products and poor quality labor. when I got mine quoted they were talking about having PV Panels that were 24% efficient back in those days that was unachievable, then changed there story to 24% inefficient. does that mean the panels are 76% efficient, if that were true they would have solved the worlds energy problems.

Hi Pete, my Brother and his wife have tried very hard to cancel their contract. It can be done.. Modern have claimed there is NO cooling off period in the contract, however I have personally found out that under consumer law there is either a 5 or 10 day cooling off period for things like this. The 5 or 10 day period depends on whether or not they have cold called you or whether you approached them. I was informed of the consumer law cooling off period by a Solahart consultant that I had out to my place to quote on solar hot water and solar system.

My brother is now still awaiting the full refund of the deposit they paid at the time of signing the contract. This as you can tell has taken quite some time, many phone calls, emails and faxes.

Good Luck with this.. If you have any further questions that I may be able to help with please don't hesitate to ask. Just be prepared to be given the run around, for emails to bounce back and for getting no assistance on the phone..

All the best...

Thank you so much !

Wish me luck as it was only signed on Saturday !

Really really appreciated !

Good Luck Pete.. Not that you will need it.. Knowledge is power, use the knowledge you now have to your advantage.

It's my pleasure to have helped. I hope that the information I have provided helps..

Pete, I bought from Modern Solar about 3 years ago a 1.5 kw system. I can tell you there is no after sales service, they hire contractors for installation, they use the same pressure sales tactics with a call to the boss for a special discount. The product is real, mine has provided some relief and has worked, but I paid 7k for mine. I got off lightly compared to other rip offs, but I still feel ripped off. And they 'bought' the govt credits... but the whole pricing structure is imaginary and includes a massive profit margin for them. You would think they are dinkum, any deal you have with them make sure at least that the system provided works properly. Ask every question you can, don't let up, and best advice is - don't go to these guys, period. If you have, get out of it. If you can't get out of it, see fair trading and put up a stink until conditions become fair.

.

Hi, yes i did and i think a few others have also. They do not deal with individual cases unfortunately, but if enough people submit complaints it my cause them to take action. Good luck. We didn't get anywhere with the manager. When you meet record your conversations! I wish i did.

Hey Tom

thanks for your reply. Was the manager's name that you dealt with Rodney Butters??

Cheers

Grant

Hi grant, we dealt with [name removed]. Lied to our faces, we should have recorded all our conversations especially the salesman at the beginning.

I am preparing a case for the ombudsman, we too have been promised many visits from the National Manager but he never actually turns up. Last time I gave him our phone numbers and asked that he call when he arrives in the state ...not holdng our breath any longer!!!

Guess the only consolation we have these days is that we weren't the only ones misled... and we will eventually pay off the debt but not with our electricty bill savings!

Hi Chez and Pete I met with the WA General Manager. He offered to install 5 additional solar panels. I accepted his offer. I wasn't overly impressed by him. I think they are still using the same sales tatics now that they used on me 2 and a half years ago. The manager told me that the reason why Modern's products are more expensive than competitors is that Modern provide a 25 year warranty on the panels they install. I did some more research and found other companies that offer the same 25 year warranty and are still significantly cheaper than modern.

I vow never to purchase any other product from this company ever again

Good luck with your action against Modern

Cheers

Grant

Hi Grant I had Modern Solar (Modern Roof Restoration Vic ) I was supposed to be a display home for them , Rep looked at my bill at advised me I needed a 5kw system installed didn't get display signs wasn't getting much savings. It turned out the only gave me a 2.5kw system qwhich only generated 7.32 kW daily average which is only half of my daily average use. Cost me $8000 I thought I was given a 5kw because that's all he spoke about but I didn't know that 7.32kw was what the system would generate. Oh and I didn't get the display signs. Who would recommend Modern with $20 -$30 off my bill each month they knew if they gave me the cost of a 5 kW I would not go with them. Contacted ACCC they where no help took them to VCAT no one from Modern attended but the case went ahead he interegated was very rude but didn't care That my case was that Modern should have quoted me on a 14kw daily average and not deceive me. Modern should not be allowed to get way with it. Absolute Scums rep to CEO

Thanks Maria. Wouldn't deal with them ever again

Told it would drop it by 50% min and then still install 1-2 units into the meter, please we still get high bills and of late since theyve changed the invertor 3 times were making 1 unit in 16 days.. so how is that saving us money?

Nikki - Was told by Modern Solar that I would in fact never receive an Electricity Bill ever again, but wait there is more, even assured that the Electricity Company would be owing me money within 12 months. Reminded of how ripped off every 2 months when I receive my Electricity Bill. Modern Solar a rip off and no morales.

We were told it would wipe out 75% of our bill with a 5kw system, last bill was still over $1800.00 which was still pretty much the same as before the panels were installed. And with $1200.00/qtr for repayments on the panels as well it is now costing us over $3000 / 3 months. Just a bad joke! I will continue to fight it.

Yep we were told that and after spending $9000 on them we haven't had any reduction in power bills...........devastated we've been completely had!!! Do not trust this company

We were told we would have a reduction of 80-90% Far from it. Lots of lies and they don't take responsibility afterwards. We could of got the same quality product elsewhere with a 5kw inverter instead of 1.6kw for much cheaper and without having to advertise for 6 months.

How did u go with this as mine were installed 3 wks ago and already have problems with a door. Moderns say it's the battery but I'm not buying that. Unfortunately I need the door to open and close as that's what doors are supposed to do. So it looks like I'll have to pay someone else to fix it. Pretty sure this is also a sales pitch. Will be avoiding them at all costs and turning the sign over and adding my opinion in bold print.

hi donald, it sounds like you were conned into the DC electric option. this is sold by modern and many others and is DEFINATELY NOT a long lasting product. When the shutters are sold to you, theyre represented as a perminent solution.

My advice is to go for the complete conversion...... Take out the piece of trash smart drive motor(12 months warrenty) and replace it with an italian tubular motor. throw the plug in battery straight in the bin and replace with a hard wired AC switch.

i will price this up for you as a delivery only upgrade.

do not consider manual or DC battery replacements. they may be responsible for many call outs

Hi Dave. - can you please give me the details of the company that does the conversation. Our blinds are about 10 years old. The remote has to be replaced but i’d Rather have it hard wired as we have had a few problems with the remote over the years.