Consumer Protection

Anyone who’s tried to cancel a contract to buy a new or used car may recall being slugged with a fee from the dealer for pulling out of the deal.

Known as ‘pre-estimated liquidated damages’, the fee is supposed to be a true reflection of actual costs incurred by the dealership as a result of the transaction falling through, such as vehicle licensing costs, special accessories that may have been fitted and demonstrable administration costs.

• Tenants reporting rental properties with major maintenance issues
• Lack of action by some landlords creating unsafe and unhealthy homes
• Landlords warned not to undertake unlicensed plumbing or electrical repairs

Consumer Protection is receiving numerous reports of sub-standard rental properties being leased to WA tenants from some private landlords.

These landlords are failing to properly maintain their properties and carry out essential repairs that are creating dangerous hazards with the potential to harm tenants.

Electric scooters and skateboards will likely appear on many Christmas wish-lists this year, given the growing popularity of these eRideable devices and others like them in recent years.

To avoid disappointment when shopping for eRideables, it is important to be across the new rules that are now in effect covering how they can be used.

• Portable pools pose danger to young children
• One portable pool-related fatality each year on average
• Don’t Duck Out, Make It SAFE campaign in its fourth year

Tragically, on average one child dies from portable pool-related drowning each year in Australia and other kids need hospital treatment and may be left with severe brain injuries.

That’s why Australian consumer protection and product safety regulators join forces with Royal Life Saving Society - Australia every summer to remind parents and carers to make portable pools SAFE.

An un-staffed Forrestfield petrol station has been named by FuelWatch as the cheapest non-membership petrol outlet in the Perth metropolitan area for 2021.

FastFuel 24/7 offered an average price for unleaded petrol (ULP) of 131.8 cents per litre (cpl) during the year with Vibe Morley coming a close second with 132.2 cpl and Liberty Calista third with 134.8 cpl. Costco at Perth Airport is on top of the cheapest list, as it was last year, with 127.2 cpl but an annual membership fee is required.

Furniture can look like a playground to young eyes, which is why it is so important for parents and carers to be aware of the dangers and take steps to minimise the risks.

Toppling furniture and appliances kill an average of one child every year in Australia, with many others also suffering injuries, including brain damage and broken bones. Here in WA, a one-year-old girl tragically died when a chest of drawers fell on her late last year.

• Be wary of fake door to door tradies offering cheap deals
• Check out the licence, if required, and credentials of tradies
• Charity scammers are known to target disasters to steal money from donors

A precautionary warning to victims of recent bushfires in Perth and WA’s South-West that they could be targeted by travelling conmen aiming to capitalise on their misfortune.

The warning also extends to those thinking of making donations to make sure they are not fooled into giving money to scammers instead.

• People looking for love online are prime targets for scammers
• WA victims lost almost $3 million in 2021
• Check to ensure the online love interest is genuine

Consumer Protection warns Western Australians looking for love could be left with a broken heart and an empty bank balance if they fail to spot the signs their online romance is the work of scammers.

Would-be scammers are using a broader range of digital platforms to target victims, including social networks, dating sites and instant-messaging apps.

• 68 vehicles deemed unfit for sale by automotive inspectors in 2021
• Defects mostly related to tyres, windscreens and seatbelts
• Buyers urged to get a mechanical inspection before purchase

Automotive officers from Consumer Protection prevented 68 unroadworthy motor vehicles from being sold in 2021, helping to protect buyers and other road users in WA.

Random inspections are regularly carried out at car yards in WA and green “Unfit for Sale” stickers are placed on vehicles that have defects and are considered unsafe or unroadworthy.

• Child injuries and deaths are caused by falling furniture or appliances
• Parents and carers urged to secure items that can easily tip over
• Tenants have the right to fix items to walls, except for certain circumstances

Western Australians are being reminded about the dangers of toppling furniture and large appliances following a recent tragedy that claimed the life of a one year old girl in Byford.