Whitegoods top list of consumer complaints

January 30th, 2012

Appliance News

Whitegoods have topped the list of consumer complaints made in New South Wales, according to the Minister for Fair Trading, Anthony Roberts. Whitegoods, electrical, and gas products accounted for 2,611 complaints of the 42,500 received in total by the agency in 2011.

Defective or unsatisfactory goods, repairs, maintenance and refunds were cited as the most common problems. Research shows that Australians are frustrated with outcomes when faced with defective white goods and electronic goods especially, said the minister.

Have you experienced a problem with your whitegoods?

“These figures highlight the importance of a national project currently being conducted by New South Wales Fair Trading, other state and territory regulators and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, checking whitegoods and electronics retailers are complying with consumer guarantee requirements under the Australian Consumer Law,” Roberts said.

“Instead of providing redress required by law, some retailers have shirked their obligations and left consumers to sort out the problem on their own and at their own expense.”

“Estimates show consumers incur out-of-pocket costs at just under $1 billion a year in relation to these products.”

Meanwhile, consumers continue to seek unbiased advice online in forums and review websites for products and retailers, such as Appliances Online.

Here is John Winning, CEO of Appliances Online: