'I was suspicious at first': Dad wins $5000 in national shopping competition (2025)

A Mowbray father-of-two got more than he bargained for when he spent $2000 on a new sound system for his trusty Nissan Navara.

Tete Sarea relocated his family from Papua New Guinea about two years ago to study at the Australian Maritime College.

He wanted to buy an upgraded sound system to take back home, so earlier this year, he stopped by the Innes Street Autobarn.

Several weeks later, he was notified that he'd won $5000 cash - and his purchase back in Autobarn loyalty points - in the company's national Sound Off competition.

"I went through my emails and saw it ... with all the scams I was suspicious at first," Mr Sarea said.

"But then I got in touch with [district manager James Williams] and that's when I realised, 'ok, this is real'."

Mr Sarea said he would use the prize as a cost of living buffer, and share some with family.

He said his family had loved living in Launceston - "they don't want to go back" - and thanked Mr Williams and his team.

"I just want to thank Autobarn for giving the opportunity to customers to participate ... amongst the many, I'm the fortunate one. I thank God for that."

Mr Williams said he was thrilled that the competition - part of Autobarn's 40-year anniversary celebrations - had resulted in a win for a Tasmanian customer.

"We were really happy to be involved with this, but also to have the winner come out of our home location in Launnie ... [we were] stoked," he said.

"We're just grateful to our loyal customers for continuing to support us... this is the least we can do to give back."