The Office of Fair Trading is urging both businesses and consumers to check the detail in advertisements to ensure a smooth buying experience for all parties.
The advice follows a recent incident in Toowoomba where a consumer test drove a vehicle which was advertised on the internet as being equipped with a number of added extras.
The consumer purchased the vehicle, however, after collecting the car noticed the extra features were not included. After intervention by the Office of Fair Trading the motor dealer agreed to pay $1700 for the extras which were advertised.
Acting Executive Director Fair Trading, Tony Johnson said traders should take care to ensure their advertisements accurately detail the products or services they are selling.
"Whether it be through online marketing, radio or television commercials, or print advertisements traders need to ensure that the items they are selling are accurately depicted in their advertising. This includes any special features or extras their product may have.
"Traders should remember they cannot rely on "fine print" to absolve themselves from providing what has been offered.
"Consumers also need to be vigilant and check that what they are purchasing is consistent with what has been advertised. Taking a few minutes to confirm the details of a product before you purchase it can save you weeks of heartache having a problem fixed later.
"However, if, after purchasing the product, a consumer becomes aware of a discrepancy compared to the one advertised, their first point of contact should be the trader for a refund, replacement or compensation.
"If the consumer if dissatisfied with the trader’s response they are encouraged to make a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading.
"Remember, under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) consumers are entitled to a refund where goods have a major fault, are wrongly described, are different from a sample shown or don’t do what they are supposed to do," Mr Johnson said.
For more information on consumer rights, or the ACL, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
