Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz advised shoppers if there were problems with a product, they still had rights— regardless of whether a product was on sale or not.
Bait advertising — where businesses advertise a sale item without stocking enough for the expected number of customers, instead referring customers to a more expensive item — is also unlawful.
Consumer Affairs Victoria received more than 41000 contacts regarding shopping problems in 2017-18, with 26 per cent of reports concerning product defects.
Consumer Affairs data shows the top products Victorians inquired about in 2017-18 were furniture and furnishings (2691 inquiries), clothing and footwear (2450), personal goods (1903) and electrical appliances and whitegoods (1833).
Before shopping during this end-of-financial-year sales period, consumers should:
●Check the returns policy before they buy, especially for ‘change of mind’;
●Use secure payment methods and be alert to potential scams if shopping online;
●Remember they have the same rights buying from an Australian business online as they would in-store;
●Photograph receipts and keep the originals in a safe place;
●Ask the salesperson to clearly explain what an extended warranty provides over and above their existing legal rights.
Retailers are also being reminded that signs stating ‘‘no refund on sale items’’ are illegal under Australian Consumer Law.
But shoppers should not automatically expect a refund or exchange if they change their mind on an item they bought. It’s up to each store to decide whether it will offer a refund or exchange if you change your mind.
For more information about shopping rights, visit consumer.vic.gov.au/shopping
