PEOPLE are being warned not to employ a rogue tree chopper following a flood of new complaints.

The Department of Consumer Protection says Sean Weinthal has previously been prosecuted for harassing clients and is active again.

In the past year alone, the department received 44 enquiries and 18 complaints about six tree lopping businesses which he either owns or works for, including SAS Tree Lopping.

During the same period, the department took a further 51 enquiries and 23 complaints for a seventh company he works for, Elite Trees, which is owned by his nephew, Mitchell Grisbrook.

The recent complaints relate to allegations of bullying, trespassing, carrying out unauthorised work, damage to property, misleading and deceptive conduct, failing to offer a cooling off period for unsolicited sales, wrongly accepting payment and failing to carry out or complete the work as agreed.

Camera Icon The Department of Consumer Protection says people should avoid employing Sean Robert Weinthal for tree lopping services. Credit: Supplied.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said consumers should avoid doing business with either Sean Weinthal, who sometimes goes by the name John, or Mitch Grisbrook.

“It is with great frustration and exacerbation that Consumer Protection is again issuing yet another alert about Mr Weinthal who, despite being prosecuted and the cause of numerous warnings for many years now, continues his misconduct when dealing with WA consumers,” Mr Hillyard said.

“Mr Weinthal can no longer be trusted to operate a business either ethically or legally. He has no appreciation of his obligations under consumer law and uses bullying tactics to intimidate consumers into accepting quotes and paying for work that has either not been carried out, is only partially complete or, if complete, does not meet the standard or fulfil the expectations of his customers.

“We can’t recommend strongly enough for consumers to avoid Mr Weinthal, Mr Grisbrook and their various businesses when getting quotes for tree lopping services.

“Usually they drop flyers in letterboxes in areas where verge-side rubbish collections are scheduled by local councils. If you receive one of their flyers, ignore it and ensure you get multiple quotes from other more reputable businesses.”