Do you know your rights as a consumer?
We all know the frustration of buying something, whether it be a washing machine or a car, to discover that it is faulty. Depending on the nature of the fault, you may be entitled to either a refund or a replacement item. However, suppliers are well known for trying to dismiss claims by alleging that it is “out of warranty” or needs to be dealt with by the manufacturer. We can help you navigate the sometimes confusing provisions of the Australian Consumer Law (“ACL”), and achieve the best result for you. While the supplier may think that they can fault off a complaining customer, they regularly become more cooperative when they realised that they may face court proceedings.
If you are a seller rather than a buyer, you may find yourself being faced with an intransigent purchaser, who is demanding all sorts of remedies to which they are not entitled. We can advise on what your obligations are under the ACL, and whether the customer is entitled to a refund, a replacement, or simply having the item repaired.
Many consumer disputes are dealt with in QCAT, where the rules and procedures can be quite different to the courts. We can help you navigate your way through this process, and advise you on the merits of the claim or any proposed defence.