Australian Shopping Rights – Know Your Shopping Rights
Love it or hate it, you can’t avoid it ? shopping, that is. Luckily, you’ve got rights when things go wrong.
What are my rights?
Refund: you’re entitled to a refund if goods are faulty or defective (you can opt for an exchange or repair); if goods don’t do the job they?re supposed to; if goods don?t match the description or sample on which you based your purchase.
Redress: goods must keep working for a reasonable period, bearing in mind the price and the way they were described. If a product stops working or breaks within that reasonable period ? even if it falls outside the manufacturer?s warranty ? you?re entitled to redress provided you weren’t responsible.
Cancelling: you’re entitled to cancel a lay-by but the retailer can keep a cancellation fee provided it can justify it as costs associated with the lay-by.
Prices: if an item is marked with two prices, or there’s a different price on the shelf, you can?t be charged the higher price, though the store can withdraw the item from sale.
Payment: You don?t have to pay for goods you didn?t order. Stores’ responsibilities?
Misleading statements: stores can?t mislead or deceive consumers about goods, such as exaggerating discounts by referring to a fictitious regular price.
Advertising: stores must keep promises they make in advertising and store promotions.
How can I avoid hassles?
- Shop around and compare prices to spot the real bargains.
- Inspect goods for faults and flaws where possible.
- Whether you buy from a store, over the Internet or by mail order, ask before you buy if they?ll refund your money if you change your mind. They don’t have to. Check for delivery and returning costs before buying.
- Keep copies of orders, receipts, dockets, invoices and credit card slips. You need proof of purchase to claim a refund.
- Check the lay-by conditions, including any cancellation charge, before setting one up. If you receive goods you didn?t order, write to the vendor stating where they can be collected. If there?s no response the goods are yours after a month.
I want to complain
If something goes wrong and the vendor won?t fix the problem, find out your rights. Post a message on the CHOICE forums
- CHOICE Online Your Rights section or contact your local fair trading/consumer affairs authority for advice.
- Contact the store manager or customer relations department and explain the issue, your rights and the result you want.
- If you don?t get satisfaction, write a short, simple and polite letter outlining the problem and a potential solution.
- If nothing else works, contact your fair trading/consumer affairs authority to mediate between you and the store.
- As a last resort, lodge a claim with the small claims tribunal or equivalent in your state or territory.
Source: Yahoo.com.au
Comments
Got something to say?