Consumer Protection

Winter has officially arrived and many of us have already dragged out the winter woollies, electric blankets and hot water bottles, but it’s important to make sure we are using these items safely.

Electric blankets, hot water bottles, heat (or wheat) packs and children’s sleepwear are just some of the winter items that can pose an injury risk if they are old, worn or not used properly.

As with any product – but particularly products that can cause scalds, burns or fires – consumers should always follow user guides.

‘Panic-buying’ is a term we’d usually associate with grocery shopping in 2020, however there are suggestions it may be happening in the quad-bike industry currently on the eve of new safety regulations.

We have been concerned to hear reports that some quad bike dealerships are running low on stock as farmers and other consumers rush to buy-up current models that do not meet the important new mandatory safety standard coming into effect later this year.

Many people worry about leaving their family with a large debt when they depart this world, so the option of paying for your funeral upfront before you need it has become increasingly popular in recent years.

So popular in fact, there is currently estimated to be around $170 million in pre-paid funeral funds invested by funeral organisers in Western Australia awaiting the day they’re needed.

WA’s ageing population means that figure is likely to grow further, so the State Government has stepped in to introduce some safeguards in the form of a new mandatory code of practice.

A new mandatory code of practice for Western Australia's prepaid funeral industry has been approved by the McGowan Government that aims to safeguard the estimated $170 million being held to pay for future funerals.

The new code, which comes into effect on March 1, 2021, will ensure that the funds will be managed within secure investments under the name of the client until they are required.

The way we shop may have changed forever following the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Life in lockdown meant cash transactions plummeted in favour of a number of contactless payment methods, including buy-now, pay-later schemes.

Often described as the ‘modern-day lay-by’, buy-now, pay-later arrangements allow you to receive goods and then pay off the amount in instalments further down the track. Unlike lay-by, the item is available to you straight away.

Community service providers that offer support to some of our most vulnerable consumers have been recognised in the Consumer Protection Awards, along with a program to prevent infant sleeping deaths and a regional reporter.

The 2020 winners were announced at a 'virtual' event on the Consumer Protection Facebook page after the awards ceremony in March was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard

The post-Christmas sales create quite a buzz for shoppers both online and in-store, but remember to shop smart to avoid disappointment with the sales.

Retailers will be keen to get your business, so it’s important to look past the slick marketing and see the real value of deals on offer.

If you’re stuck in a deadlock with your landlord or tenant over a COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic related tenancy issue, a new service can help resolve the dispute without needing to step foot inside a courtroom.

Our recently launched Residential Tenancies Mandatory Conciliation Service (RTMCS) is a free process that aims to help both sides come to an agreement through informal discussion in a relaxed environment. 

It’s hard to keep your wits about you following a car accident – you’re often in shock, the traffic behind you starts piling up and all you want is to get the car off the road and away from the scene. 

Sighting an approaching tow-truck can therefore be a great relief, but there are things you should know before a breakdown or bingle occurs to avoid being stung financially.

The first tow truck on the scene does not have an automatic right to your car – you have the right to decide who tows your vehicle and where it is taken.