Be Scam Smart

Know your Refund Rights
Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech urges
consumers to carefully consider cost and quality of goods before buying. "Often consumers are disappointed when they buy low quality, cheap products only to find they don't last as long as expected," Mrs Keech said.

"One of the most common reasons people contact Fair Trading is because they want to know their refund rights. Avoid disappointment, know your refund and repair rights before purchasing and have realistic expectations if asking for refunds on low cost products,"
Mrs Keech said.

Consumers have the right to a repair, replacement or refund if the goods supplied:

• have a fault that you could not have known about at the time of purchase;
• don't do the job you were led to believe they would;
• don't match the sample shown to you; and/or
• aren't as they were described.

For handy shopping advice get your free copy of ‘How to be Consumerwise’ from Fair Trading on 1300 658 030 or www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au

Three Strikes for Handyman

A Brisbane-based door-to-door handyman with a history of preying on the elderly has been referred to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs after racking up three convictions and almost $20,000 in fines.

Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech said the serial offender originally from England, had been prosecuted by the Office of Fair Trading twice in three weeks. "There is no place in Queensland for this man. His history of preying on the elderly and using intimidation to get large sums of money from them is disgusting."

Mrs Keech said when dealing with a door-to-door tradesperson, it was important to remember:

• the best defence is a firm "no";
• ask to see their Queensland Building Service Authority licence. No licence, no job;
• you are entitled to a 10-day cooling off period. Traders are not allowed to take money or do work in that period;
• goods worth more than $75 must include a written contract clearly stating the breakdown of costs; and
• don't pay for anything upfront or pay cash and request a receipt and written warranty.

For more information, get a free copy of ‘How to be Consumerwise’ by contacting the Office of Fair Trading on 1300 658 030 or visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.