ACCC Worries over Guarantee Complaints Rise

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) January 8 signaled its concern about a 39% increase in 2017 of people reporting consumer guarantee issues. Safety is among the "major faults" that trigger remedy mandates under the Australian Consumer Law. These rights exist outside any terms provided in warrantees. ACCC criticized reports of consumers being told "nothing can be done" based on warranty limits or expirations.

The agency also express concern about reports of retailers telling consumers to contact manufacturers. Under the law, sellers have obligations to provide remedies.

ACCC did not say how many of the 29,000+ reports involved safety, but it did report (bit.ly/2AO43FT) that whitegoods and electrical products were among top products.