Consumer Issues

A consumer problem is one where you have bought something or paid for services which have not been what was promised, faulty or maybe unfair or unreasonable. Consumer issues include shopping, refunds and warranties, buying a car and borrowing money.

David needed a new 4WD car but none were for sale in his community. He saw an advertisement with a photograph in the local paper of one he liked and wanted to buy from the city. Because he lived so far from the city he was not able to see the 4WD car in person or test drive it but he was happy with the photographs sent by the car dealer and the promises made to him about the good condition of it.

When David got his 4WD car off the barge he was relieved that it was the same one he had seen in the photographs, but as David was driving it home it stalled and would not restart.David is angry that he has paid $8000 for a 4WD car which does not work as promised.

Who can David contact for help or advice?

Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network (ICAN)
http://www.ican.org.au
Phone: 1300 369 878
(local call cost from a landline)

Office of Fair Trading (Queensland)
http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
Phone: 13 13 04
(local call cost from a landline)

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
http://www.accc.gov.au
Phone: 1300 303 143
(local call cost from a landline)