Consumer Protection

Estimates and quotes are different ways of putting a price on a job or service before the job is done.

What is a quote?

A quote is the total amount a tradesperson agrees it will cost to do a job or service for you and is given to you before any work begins. Get at least three quotes to compare prices as it can save you money. Get written quotes, not verbal so you have a record of the agreed price. Quotes should be obligation free and contain the tradesperson’s contact details including address, licence details, ABN and terms and conditions where possible.

This guide to your rights when shopping answers many common consumer questions and explains your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

Misleading behaviour

Misleading or deceptive behaviour is when a shop owner or trader presents an incorrect view about the price, value or quality of goods or services to you. A shop owner can break the law even if they didn’t mean to mislead or deceive.

Shop owners can sometimes mislead or deceive, through:

When buying expensive goods, including fridges, washing machines and televisions, there are many options available to help you make these purchases.

Saving

If you know you’re going to have to come up with a large amount of money in a few months to buy a new fridge, washing machine or television, it’s always best that you save up to pay for it up front.

By saving for large purchases, you can avoid extra charges associated with borrowing the money, including interest and administration fees.

Before you buy a mobile phone or sign up to a contract you should be aware of these 10 things.

What is book-up?

Book-up is short term credit offered by a shop owner that lets you buy goods or services and pay for them later. Some shop owners will charge a fee for allowing you to use book-up. Generally, when shop owners charge fees for book-up, they need to follow the credit laws. This means they need to have a special credit licence and they are not allowed to offer credit if you can’t afford to repay them. In remote areas, book-up is often the only or most convenient way to buy goods on credit or get a cash advance.

Experience tells us rogue traders are deliberately preying on Aboriginal consumers either door-to-door or over the phone in a telemarketing style.

Don’t Come Knocking - The Australian Consumer Law song has been produced by ABmusic to help make Aboriginal people aware of this consumer issue. 

The following FuelWatch logos are provided for use by industry and media in accordance with the relevant Consumer protection style guide.

If you need an alternative format, eg. EPS,  please contact CP Media team.

1 October 2021

Important changes to abandoned goods processes and mould in rental properties

In this issue:

1 October 2021

Important changes to abandoned goods processes and mould in rental properties

In this bulletin: