Dunnville woman scammed by NY company

By Valerie Posthumus

The Haldimand Press

DUNNVILLE—What should have been a straightforward, cross-border purchase has turned into a nightmare for a Dunnville business owner.

Katie Whitwell opened Rebounder Gymnastics on July 1, 2018. Right from the beginning Whitwell knew that she would need spring flooring for the comfort and safety of her students who practice gymnastics in the old gym of Dunnville Secondary School.

They immediately began fundraising and, with the support of the gymnastics families and the public, they raised $12,000.

After searching online she found used flooring at a company called Kirby’s Gymnastics Equipment in Syracuse, New York. This company was listed as an authorized Speith dealer, which Whitwell was familiar with, and so she felt confident in purchasing from this company. The price seemed good and the communication with the seller was also good. He returned calls and emails promptly, gaining her trust.

Whitwell initially sent a deposit cheque in January in the amount of $5,323.60, which was deposited by the seller on February 15, 2019. The pickup date was then arranged for the last weekend of that month and Whitwell arranged a trucking company for the pickup.