New Australian Consumer Protection Laws

[*wheels*]

From the ACCC website:

On 1 January 2011 the Trade Practices Act 1974 was renamed the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is reviewing this website and its publications to reflect this name change, and changes to the law brought about by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) which forms part of the renamed Act. For further information call the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502 or visit the Australian Government website www.consumerlaw.gov.au for detailed guidance to the new law.

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/ForConsumers/

[*wheels*]

Consumer guarantees

Do you know what rights you have when something you buy breaks or doesn’t work properly? What about when a service doesn’t achieve the results you expected?

On 1 January 2011, the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) came into effect. One of the main reforms introduced by the ACL is consumer guarantees. Consumer guarantees are a comprehensive set of rights and obligations in relation to the supply of goods and services to consumers.

Consumer guarantees – a guide for consumers. The booklet provides answers to some of the questions most commonly asked by consumers, such as what rights you have when something you buy breaks or fails to perform as expected, and when you may be entitled to a refund or exchange (or other remedy).

The booklet also contains a section on how to take effective action, which sets out three steps you can follow to resolve problems you have. It also includes tips on how to write an effective letter of complaint.

[*wheels*]

Consumer guarantees, warranties and refunds

Every time you purchase, lease or hire a good or service, anywhere around Australia, you are automatically given certain rights. These rights are known as consumer guarantees.

When you have a problem and one of the guarantees has not been met, you are entitled to a remedy. The type of remedy depends on the circumstances but may include a repair, replacement, refund or having a service performed again.

The consumer guarantees only apply to goods and services purchased on or after 1 January 2011. Purchases made before this time may be covered by the laws that applied before 1 January 2011.

Consumer guarantees are different to a warranty, which is a voluntary promise offered by the person or business who sold the goods or service to you, or the manufacturer of the goods. You have consumer guarantees regardless of any warranty you purchase or are given.

Consumer guarantees for goods
You automatically receive certain guarantees when you buy, hire or lease goods. If something goes wrong – one of the consumer guarantees is not met - the law gives you rights to insist the seller fixes things.

Consumer guarantees for services
You automatically receive certain guarantees when you buy or contract for services. If something goes wrong – one of the consumer guarantees is not met - the law gives you rights to insist the service provider fixes things.

Warranties for goods and services
A warranty is a voluntary promise offered by the person or business who sold the goods or provided the service. You have consumer guarantees regardless of any warranty you purchase or are given.

Goods and services bought before 1 January 2011
Consumer guarantees apply to goods and services bought on or after 1 January 2011. For goods or services bought before this time, you have rights under the laws that existed at the time you made the purchase.

Resolving problems
If you have a problem, there are steps you can take to resolve it. Depending on the nature of your problem, you may be entitled to seek a refund.

[HellWest'nCrooked]

Thanks Wheelie..very interesting

[*CountessA*]

Thanks indeed, Wheels - I hadn't checked yet to read the new Act.

[*Brum6y*]

Thank you Wheels ... some mandatory reading in there!