Victoria’s Tango Caravans collapses leaving dozens of angry customers out of pocket

Dozens of families who paid tens of thousands of dollars to buy their dream caravan have been left empty-handed after a company took their money and went bankrupt.

Victoria-based Tango Caravans has been declared bankrupt, with 85 creditors still owed significant amounts. More than 60 of them are customers who spent their savings or took out loans to buy caravans but never received them.

“Our family’s dream was stolen by Tango Caravans, who left us $83,000 in debt with a five-year repayment plan and a looming redemption,” Taisha Ellis from Queensland told Daily Mail Australia.

Mrs Ellis and her partner were told that they would receive their custom-made caravan within two weeks of placing their order, but when it never arrived they contacted the manufacturer, Tango Caravans.

The company told them that they were already owed so much money by Tango that they refused to place any more orders. Mrs. Ellis wanted to know where her money had gone.

“What should have been a new beginning 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 links to a notice to creditors stating that the company’s finances are under investigation.

Sylwia Logan, moderator of the Tango Owners Australia Facebook group, says the number of customers who have talked about designs, models and where to travel to with their new purchase has gone to “over 40 people who are now in financial difficulty and desperate because of this company”.

Tango Caravans offered custom made caravans built by a third party

Mrs Logan explained that she ordered her caravan in December last year and was told in March that work had started.

‘In May I was told that I had to pay the full amount because it was a custom-made caravan, for which I had chosen the interior myself and which I would find difficult to resell.

“Once I paid, they stopped communicating.”

Ms Logan said that after being repeatedly fobbed off with excuses about delays, broken parts and key staff being ill, she took matters into her own hands.

Mrs Logan said she had gone to the Tango Caravan site the week before the liquidation and said she did not want to leave without a refund.

She said that after “hours” she received a written letter stating that she would receive the full amount back within a few days, but that the company was then placed into receivership.

“I made a down payment of $15,000 and took out a loan of $60,000. Now I’m in a huge debt for something I won’t own.

“I have two children and this would give me the opportunity to work part-time, travel and spend time with my family. But now I’m back to working full-time and spending less time with my children.”

The liquidator has informed customers that it is unlikely they will get much, if any, of their money back.

The liquidation of the company has also left the family of Sylwia Logan (pictured) without a caravan and with significant debt. Mrs Logan says via a Facebook group she moderates that it is clear 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, but was unsuccessful.

She has now contacted the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and hopes this will lead to a better outcome.

‘They were still taking orders for caravans in July… People may think I’m naive, but that’s easy to say in hindsight.’

Other affected customers include 41-year-old Ali Winter, her husband and their three children, who sold their home to travel the country in their new caravan.

She said they had signed a short-term rental agreement while they waited for their trailer to arrive. When that agreement expired, the family of five lived in their car while they waited for their home on wheels.

She said that now that Tango is bankrupt, they will likely apply for permanent rental housing.

Sarah Horter is listed as the sole director of Tango Caravans and has been contacted for comment.

Sarah Horter is listed as sole director of Tango Caravans, which has been placed into liquidation

Liquidator Yeo said that based on his preliminary investigation, Tango is unable to refund customers.

According to him, it appears that Tango does not have any caravans on site.

“It is possible that some caravans are currently being produced by external suppliers and that perhaps a partial solution can be achieved,” he said.