When can you receive a refund or exchange on an item that you bought? Sportscraft got that answer wrong and was slapped with a $21,600 fine by the ACCC.
On its customers' receipts and website terms and conditions, Sportscraft states that it provides no refunds or exchanges on samples even if the items are damaged or faulty; and that no refunds, exchanges or credits will be provided after 21 days of purchase.
These limitations go beyond the consumer's rights under the Australian Consumer Law, which guarantees the consumer the right to ask for repair, replacement or refund for a faulty item, regardless of whether it was bought at a discounted price or if the item was a gift with purchase.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, clothing items (and goods in general) must come with the following guarantees:
- be of acceptable quality: it must be safe, have no faults, look acceptable, and do all the things you would normally expect them to do; and
- be fit for purpose: it must meet any descriptions or samples shown; including those shown on packaging and advertising,
but these won't apply if you knew of the faults before your purchase, or if you misuse the item in any way.
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