Long-time Exemplar customer left standing on footpath as company goes into administration
Shire business
A long-time Douglas Shire local says he is out of pocket about $1000 after booking an Examplar shuttle to Cairns airport yesterday for today which did not turn up this morning.
After ringing the company multiple times after the 8.15am pick-up time without being able to get through, Graeme Halfacree missed his flight to Perth, he said.
An exasperated Mr Halfacree said this afternoon he did not know what he was going to do about his flight now.
“If they did it to me, they’ve done it to many other people,” Mr Hardacree said.
“I called them yesterday (and) they didn’t pick me up.
“You just can’t do that.”
Newsport has viewed an email sent out just before 10.30am from another bus company stating that the Exemplar had gone into liquidation from 10am this morning and it would be taking on the current customers.
The email thanked customers for their “continued trust”.
“We want to assure you that arrangements are in place to ensure continuity of service,” it stated.
The other coach company would be stepping in to provide the same transport services and “will be assisting with all existing and upcoming bookings”, the email stated.
“Our team is committed to delivering a seamless experience, and we will ensure that your scheduled transfers proceed as planned with the same level of professionalism and care.”
Phone calls by Newsport to Exemplar went to an automated service, while the website appeared to still be accepting bookings this afternoon.
The Craiglie business, which has operated for more than 30 years, is reportedly now being administered by liquidators from BDO, while the Exemplar Facebook page has been shut down.
