Mystery surrounds the disappearance of a Melbourne caravan manufacturer that has seemingly vanished, leaving customers devastated. Star Vision, which operated a showroom in Dandenong, has told 7NEWS it is “temporarily closed”.
Renae Maher put a deposit down on a caravan in November, hoping to explore the great outdoors. Six months later, there is no van and no showroom. “Overnight they were gone, basically,” said Neil Winterton, who works next door at Choices Flooring. He said the company packed up and left, leaving mattresses on the roadside.
7NEWS visited the premises on Wednesday, finding the gate locked. There was no note for customers, and the company’s phones go unanswered. “Crickets. We’ve tried multiple phone calls, multiple emails, nothing,” Maher said.
Star Vision claims it is relocating due to a water leak, stating: “the temporary closure of our showroom was due to a long-term water leakage issue at the premises”. The company said it can investigate missed deposit refunds but refuses to speak with 7NEWS or customers, directing them to contact online only.
“Devastated. That’s still my husband’s hard-earned money. To just up and disappear, where’s the morals and ethics in that?” Maher said. Industry experts from the Caravan Industry Association urge holidaymakers to shop around, calling this “a very isolated incident” and “a lesson for buyers”.
