Sicily Bargains has turned out to be an expensive deal for at least five consumers who used its service to deliver goods bought in Sicily.

The consumers’ authority yesterday warned that Jo-Anne Camilleri and Morgan Eriksson, who operate under the trade name Sicily Bargains, had not honoured agreements with several consumers.

Sicily Bargains, based in San Ġwann, made weekly trips to Sicily to pick up goods from retailers Ikea, Mercatone Uno, Bricoman, Semeraro and Euronics for delivery to consumers in Malta. The company’s Facebook page boasts that delivery is done for “the guaranteed best price”.

However, according to the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, Ms Camilleri and Mr Eriksson not only failed to deliver a number of ordered goods but also “retained monies” paid by consumers notwithstanding non-delivery of goods.

On Facebook, Stella Mifsud, a consumer, said she ordered furniture from Ikea in August. Part of the order was delivered and she was told the rest was not in stock. Afterwards she heard nothing else from Sicily Bargains. Ms Mifsud said she was owed €65 and got together with four other consumers to try and pursue the goods ordered. The other consumers were owed a few thousand euros, she said.

They sent registered letters, which remained undelivered, and the company telephone was not answered for months. E-mails were also ignored.

Before Christmas, Mr Erikkson, who is Dutch, called to say the goods would be delivered but nothing was ever heard from him since, Ms Mifsud said.

The consumers’ authority was also unable to contact the owners of Sicily Bargains.