Buyer be AWARE ....
Under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), consumers have rights that go beyond the manufacturer's warranty, including when a product becomes faulty after 12 months.
Key Points:
1. Consumer Guarantees:
The ACL provides automatic consumer guarantees that a product must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and match the description or sample.
These guarantees apply regardless of any warranty, and cannot be excluded.
2. Timeframe – More Than 12 Months?
Yes – consumer guarantees may apply beyond 12 months, depending on:
The nature of the product (e.g., a $2,000 washing machine is expected to last longer than 1 year).
🟧What a reasonable consumer would expect.
How the product is marketed and priced.
🟧3. If a product fails after 12 months, you may still be entitled to:
🟧A repair, replacement, or refund (depending on the severity of the fault).
🟧Reimbursement for reasonable costs of returning the product.
4. 🟧🟧Major vs Minor Faults:🟧🟧
Major failure: You can choose a refund or replacement.
Minor failure: The business can choose to repair the item.
🟨5. Proof of Purchase is required (e.g., receipt, bank statement).
⬛️Example:
⬛️If your $1,200 television stops working properly after 14 months due to a manufacturing defect, you can still claim under the ACL, even if the warranty was for 12 months only. The retailer (not the manufacturer) is responsible for resolving the issue.
🟢🟢 Action Steps 🟢🟢
1. Contact the retailer, not just the manufacturer.
2. State clearly: “I’m exercising my rights under the Australian Consumer Law.”
3. If the business refuses, you can escalate:
🟢🟢Lodge a complaint with your state's consumer protection agency (e.g., Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs)***
🟢🟢Contact the ACCC for guidance.
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