• A consumer has the right to ask for a receipt for any transaction, no matter how small the amount involved. For all transactions over $75, a receipt is compulsory. • Salespeople can only sell door-to-door or over the phone between 9 am and 6 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. They can’t sell on Sundays or public holidays unless you set an appointment. If you ask a salesperson to leave, they must go right away and not contact you for 30 days about that product. If you buy something from them, you have a 10-day ‘cooling off period’ to cancel the deal without paying. • Lay-by agreements must be written in simple, clear language and include all terms and conditions. • Businesses with ‘No refunds’ signs are breaking the law. If a product is faulty or doesn’t work as it should, a refund must be given. But if you change your mind and the product is ýne, they don’t have to refund you. 16.6.5 Guarantees for consumers
Manufacturers or sellers often give guarantees or warranties. These are promises to ýx or replace a product for free if it breaks. Even without a written warranty, the Australian Consumer Law requires that all products have basic guarantees. Businesses can’t take away these rights but can add more if they want. Here are some guaranteed rights under the law: • The buyer gets legal ownership of goods, meaning the seller owns the goods and can transfer them to the buyer. • Goods must match any sample, demonstration model or description provided to the buyer. • Goods must be of acceptable quality. This means they should be safe, last a long time and look good. For example, if jeans fall apart after a week, they are not of acceptable quality.
FIGURE4 Goods must be of good quality. For example, if a phone stops working after a few weeks, it’s not good quality.
• Products must do what they are meant to do. For example, shampoo should wash hair well. • Repairs and spare parts must be available for a reasonable time after manufacture and sale. • Any needed servicing must be done carefully and ýnished in a reasonable time. 16.6.6 When the law is broken The Australian Consumer Law is enforced by state and territory ofýces, like Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs. If a consumer has a problem with a seller, these ofýces usually suggest contacting the seller ýrst. If that doesn’t work, they can help talk to the business. If the issue isn’t resolved, they can take legal action for the consumer. This may lead to the seller having to pay money or ýx the faulty products. The business might also be ýned for breaking the law.
568 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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