You’ve got your outfit picked and you know all the words to your favourite band’s songs – then they cancel as a headlining act. There are other bands to see but you’re still disappointed and you assume you’re not entitled to a refund.
Sending your loved one wilted flowers on Valentine’s Day probably won’t get you the reaction you were hoping for. Before you get a bunch of dead roses thrown in your face, Consumer Protection hopes there’s time to explain you have rights under Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
Consumer guarantees kick in on products purchased through Australian-based stores, including online.
Former Supreme Court Justice and President of the State Administrative Tribunal, the Hon John Chaney SC, has been appointed to oversee the mediation between builders and the manufacturer of polybutylene pipes, in a promis
Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay, garage sales and even swap meets can be brimming with a treasure trove of bargains. However, a bargain you buy today could cost you tomorrow.
Buying items through private sellers requires caution to avoid potential issues that may not be covered by Australian Consumer Law (ACL). When you buy goods privately there is a risk they may not work as they should or may not match the advert or description. You won’t be protected by the law.
Quad bikes are the leading cause of death and serious injury on Australian farms. School holidays and good weather often mean farm visits and quad bike adventures. Consumer Protection urges families to prioritise safety when it comes to quad biking.
Sixty per cent of quad bike fatalities occur during a roll over. Even at slower speeds, these bikes can topple over and crush the rider with hundreds of kilos of machine.
Unleaded petrol (ULP) prices often grab the headlines but for many West Aussie drivers, diesel is the lifeblood that keeps their utes, trucks, 4WDs and family cars running.
Currently, Tuesday is the cheapest day to fill the tank with petrol, but Consumer Protection’s FuelWatch team often receives questions asking when the cheapest day is for diesel.
Unwanted calls and spam SMS can be a source of frustration. Whether it's persistent telemarketers interrupting your dinner or irrelevant promotional texts flooding your phone, there are ways to put a stop to them.
You may have forgotten about the Do Not Call register, which is a free service run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). You can register your home, personal mobile or fax number online via donotcall.gov.au or call 1300 792 958. The good news is you only need to register once.
Picture this – your car has been badly rear-ended in peak hour traffic and you shakily give your personal details to the first tow truck driver on the scene, who takes your car away. A few days later you receive a call from a lawyer who knows all about your car accident and tells you they can “help” you get a significant payout for your minor whiplash.
What you don’t know is that tow truck driver was looking to make some extra cash on the side and they sold your personal details to a law firm.
A company and its Director have been ordered to pay a total of almost $77,000 in fines, consumer compensation and costs by the Perth Magistrates Court after taking substantial deposits from WA consumers for sheds but then failing to supply them.
Shed Systems Pty Ltd, formerly operating in Malaga and Northbridge, and sole Director David Walter Ah Chee were each fined $12,000 on 16 August 2019 after pleading guilty to six charges under the Australian Consumer Law of accepting payment for goods but failing to supply them within a reasonable time.
With Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard
Perhaps it’s the recent cold weather or maybe use of tax refunds but many Western Australians seem to be booking trips to tropical destinations – Consumer Protection has seen an increase in complaints from holiday-buyers.
One example involves purchases of discount return flights – Perth to Bali for as low as $99 – via a travel agent on Facebook. Despite paying, consumers were not able to get seats on a plane for their desired dates and were asked to cough up more money. We are inviting complaints.
