Contact Consumer Protection
Tel: 1300 30 40 54
consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au
See all Consumer Protection office locations
It's always exciting to grab a bargain at a sale, but it is a good idea to follow some simple rules so you don't end up wasting your money.
Impulse buying can leave you out of pocket and stuck with unwanted goods. Stop and consider if you really need it.
As a consumer you should research and comparison shop for the best deal. You don’t want to buy something then change your mind when you get home and not be able to return it. By always reading the terms and conditions (T&Cs) you will understand the business' return and refund policy.
All items, no matter how big or small, and no matter what the sales price, or the warranty, all come with consumer guarantees. These guarantees determine whether the product or service you’ve purchased is:
More information is available from the your consumer rights under the ACL page.
The ABC's The Checkout produced a fantastic resource to help consumers and traders understand Consumer guarantees.
Don’t let the sales cost you more by ignoring your basic consumer rights. An extended warranty is usually offered at an extra fee. An extended warranty doesn’t replace your rights under consumer guarantees. More information is available on the extended warranties page.
Understand the terms and conditions which will include expiry dates, returns policies and delivery information.
It is essential to read and understand the terms and conditions to avoid disappointment. More information is available on the gift cards page.
Take care of your receipts – it will help reduce any stress if you have to return your purchase. Businesses are obliged to provide receipts as proof of transaction for sales over $75, although most do for all sales. More information is available on the original packaging and receipts page.
The retailer's terms and conditions will determine whether you can return an unwanted gift for an exchange or refund. But remember, unless they undertake to do so a retailer is not obliged to do anything because the return is considered a change-of-mind purchase. More information is on the returns, refunds, repairs and replacements page.
Always use a secure website by looking for a padlock symbol outside the page and making sure the webpage begins with "https://". If you used a credit card or PayPal to buy goods online that never arrived, there are a few things you can do to try and get your money back. More information is available in the buying online section.
When you’re bombarded by advertisements and sales tactics, it can be hard to say ‘No!’ Knowing what to look for will save you money, time and effort.
An honest business will always:
More information is available in the store policies and sales practices section.
Consumers have rights, but so do businesses. Read more about retailers' rights and obligations under the Australian Consumer Law including advertising and pricing rules, consumer guarantees and when a consumer does not have a right to a return. More information is available from the sales campaigns for retailers page.
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