AN increasing number of shoppers are reporting problems returning electronics and whitegoods, but the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says shoppers will be all white so long as they know their rights.
According to the ACCC, more than a quarter of the 20,000 people who reported consumer issues last year were reporting problems returning electronics and whitegoods to retailers.
Following the Christmas and Boxing Day sales periods, ACCC acting chair Dr Michael Schaper reminded shoppers they had automatic guarantee rights a product would work for a certain period of time.
"We are concerned that businesses continue to misrepresent the rights of consumers when they try to return a faulty product," Dr Schaper said.
"We want more people to know about the Australian Consumer Law and use it as the three magic words to let retailers know you know your rights.
"For example, if you buy a phone that comes with a one year manufacturer's warranty, that express warranty is in addition to your rights under consumer law."
Dr Schaper said if the phone or any other electrical or whitegoods did not meet guarantees of being safe, long lasting, free of faults and of acceptable quality and functionality, consumers were protected by consumer law.
Dr Schaper said the right to determine the remedy was dependent on the extent of the fault.
If a product had a major flaw, the consumer was entitled to a refund, replacement or repair as well as compensation for any drop in value from the price that was paid.
He said if the fault was minor, the retailer could offer a free repair instead of a replacement or refund.
Details: www.accc.gov.au/
