Aussie Sheds Albany furore escalates with owner Armand Javellana declaring bankruptcy as amount reportedly owed nears $500,000

Aussie Sheds Albany owner Armand Javellana has filed for bankruptcy as the value of uncompleted work he reportedly owes to customers across Australia nears half a million dollars. Consumer Protection Commissioner Lanie Chopping issued a warning against Mr Javellana on Monday, telling people to stay clear of his Milpara-based business. “At this stage it is vital that all consumers who have either paid deposits or the full amount for sheds that have yet to be constructed get in touch with us so we can determine the extent of the financial detriment involved,” Ms Chopping said. “Customers have expressed concerns to us about delays to their projects and have reported having difficulty in contacting the business.” As of yesterday afternoon, 29 complaints had been filed against Mr Javellana for uncompleted works worth $426,000, a Consumer Protection spokesman said. Australian Financial Security Authority records show the 38-year-old filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday. “We are still attempting to contact Mr Javellana,” the spokesman said. The Advertiser spoke to Aussie Sheds Albany customers across the country who said communication with Mr Javellana broke down once large deposits had been paid. Victorian diesel mechanic John Senini said he had sent more than $52,000 to Aussie Sheds Albany for a backyard workshop, and only had its foundation to show. The contractor hired by Mr Javellana to complete the workshop said he did not get paid and told Mr Senini material for the workshop had never been ordered. Albany earthmover Jason Clark said he would have to downsize his operations because he had been left $10,000 out of pocket. “We were told we were going to be getting paid fortnightly, but it never eventuated,” he said. Without those payments, Mr Clark said his three-month-old business — J&R Contracting — had taken a significant hit, forcing him to let go of his company’s only employee. He said J&R Contracting completed four jobs laying concrete foundations for Mr Javellana last month. Another contractor — who did not want to be named — that worked with Aussie Sheds Albany claimed Mr Javellana had been “playing catch-up” and “trying to dig himself out of a hole” by taking on more work than the company could handle. Mr Javellana could not be reached for comment. Affected consumers can click here for advice from Consumer Protection: https://bit.ly/30TuoCV