The Purpose of consumer laws is to protect the interest of innocent consumers from getting exploited. Consumers spend their hard-earned money to satisfy their needs. What, if they become the victim of fraudulent business practices? Their Satisfaction and money both will be lost. It is the duty of consumers to be aware of their rights and responsibilities. Consumer law cannot protect consumers if they themselves are not attentive.
Role of Consumer Protection Laws in Protecting Innocent Consumers
- Consumer protection laws Prevent false business advertising that is prepared with the intention to cheat consumers by selling faulty products.
- To support consumer laws, Government uses agencies to enforce these laws.
- Federal Legislation Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (previously known as the Trade Practices Act 1974 Australian Consumer Law Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010
State and Territory-based legislation:
Fair Trading (Australian Consumer Law) Act 1992 (ACT)
Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW)
Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act 1990 (NT)
Fair Trading Act 1989(Qld)
Fair Trading Act 1987(SA)
Australian Consumer Law (Tasmania) Act 2010 (Tas)
Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 (Vic); and
Fair Trading Act 2010 (WA).Consumer Default Warranties and Service Contracts
Every consumer is aware of this word – “Warranty”. Either you buy a refrigerator, TV or a Mobile phone etc. The warranty should always be there to protect the rights of the consumer. Mostly above items are expensive and buying products without a warranty is risky. What if, it stops working when reached home? Basically, there are two types of warranties – Express and Implied Warranties
What are Express Warranties?
Express warranties are the oral or written commitment given by the seller to the buyer that the specific product will function as it is shown at the time of purchase. There is a fixed time frame for this warranty. if the product stop working under this precise time frame will be replaced or repaired by the seller. After the expiration of the warrant, the seller is not liable for this.
What are Implied Warranties?
Usually provide this protection. Implied warranties will make sure the product fulfils the basic purpose for which it is developed. For example, the purpose of the refrigerator is to keep eatable cold. If the refrigerator is used cooling the room doesn’t make any sense. Let’s understand with one more example – The basic purpose of a motorbike is to carry two people. What if they will put four people obviously it doesn’t work. Implied warranty and consumer law will only work if the purpose is not going to work.
Warranty Breached – What should you do?
You use the product for some time, Suddenly it stops working. You take the product to the seller to get it repaired. The seller refused to serve you and say buy a new one it’s not going to work now. Now, the warranty breached, Put mediation and get the issue resolved. If mediation failed in resolving the dispute. Go to consumer court with the help of Consumer Lawyers Perth and file a lawsuit against the business or seller and get justice.
