Description
When consumers buy goods or services and they break too easily, don’t work or don’t perform as generally expected, they have rights under the law. Sellers are required to understand and adhere to their legal obligations.
The Australian Consumer Law (contained in a schedule to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) creates a basic set of guarantees for consumers who acquire goods and services from Australian retailers, suppliers, importers or manufacturers. These are intended to ensure that they receive the goods or services that they have paid for. When consumers have a problem and one of the guarantees has not been met, they are entitled to a remedy.
The type of remedy depends on the circumstances but may include a repair, replacement, refund, compensation or having the service performed again.
The AFA, together with the approval of the ACCC, has published a Furniture specific version of the ACL which provides Furniture related case scenarios for consumers, to help understand their rights and for suppliers to understand their obligations. Remember that the law aims to give consumers and sellers a fair go – it is not designed to protect either party if they are careless or make unreasonable demands.
In this booklet consumers and sellers will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, such as what rights do consumers have when something they buy breaks or fails to perform as expected, and when they may be entitled to a refund, repair or exchange.
It explains the law in simple language but is no substitute for the legislation or legal advice.
If you require the AFA’s assistance to mediate an issue contact the AFA at care@australianfurniture.org.au
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Under licence: this document may not be used or contents altered without a written agreement from The Australian Furniture Association
