Consumer Protection

• Vast majority of dealers/repairers inspected found to be complying with the law
• Inspections carried out in Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River areas
• Three vehicles issued with defect notices and one unlicensed repairer found

A sweep of parts of WA’s South West by Consumer Protection automotive officers has recently given the vast majority of motor vehicle dealers and repairers in the area a tick of approval.

• High complaint numbers prompt reminder to research solar installers
• Issues involve poor quality parts, installers not using due care and skill
• Some complaints about companies that have gone out of business

WA consumers looking to install home solar energy systems are urged to select their installers carefully, following a high number of complaints reported to Consumer Protection.

• Unlicensed motor vehicle repairer to pay $3,000 fine and $418 in costs
• Repairer ignored four warnings to re-apply after his licence expired
• Licensing laws important to maintain high industry standards in WA

A Bayswater motor vehicle restorer and repairer who ignored several warnings about operating without a licence has been fined $3,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court.

It may be a familiar scenario for some shoppers – you spot an advert for a product at a very attractive sale price and place an order, but it’s later cancelled by the retailer claiming the item is ‘out-of-stock.’

Consumers may be left wondering whether the business is obliged to honour the discounted price, regardless of whether the item had genuinely sold-out or if a mistake had been made during the advertising process.

• Online retailer attracts more than 100 WA complaints with $27,000 owing
• Many products not being delivered and refunds not being provided
• Warning not to purchase goods from this website with huge backlog of orders

Consumer Protection in WA is raising the alarm about a national online retailer that has attracted a large number of complaints relating to non-delivery of goods and failing to provide refunds.

• Scams may follow the leak of personal information and proof of identity documents
• Affected consumers urged to be on high alert for approaches by scammers
• Devices should be secured and accounts monitored closely for unusual activity

Current and former Optus customers affected by the data breach are being urged by Consumer Protection to be vigilant over the coming weeks for scams and misuse of their identity.

A motor vehicle might have many owners over its lifetime, so one of the most important things you can do when buying a used car is to thoroughly investigate its history.

Unlike ‘statutory’ write-offs which can only be used for spare parts, it is legal for ‘repairable’ write-offs to be registered and sold in Western Australia, so long as these vehicles have passed a safety inspection.

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle.

In today’s competitive property market, it’s easy to feel pressured to purchase a home quickly, however, this is when life-long and expensive mistakes can occur.

As part of buying the perfect home to meet your budget, there are at least four key steps to undertake as part of your due diligence, which should include:

Odometer tampering is a dangerous practice that puts the community at risk while lining the pockets of those who engage in it. And it’s at the expense of the consumers they are ripping off.

Consumer Protection recently had a win in the Courts against a couple of mates who rolled back the odometers on two vehicles by more than 200,000 kilometres each. What’s especially shocking is one of the men is a licensed motor vehicle salesperson.