TOP TEN FAIR TRADING MATTERS QUEENSLANDERS COMPLAIN ABOUT

Queenslanders are continuing to stand up for their rights, lodging 10,650 complaints with the Office of Fair Trading during the 2005-2006 financial year, Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech revealed today.

Mrs Keech said during the year 11,500 complaints were dealt with, including some carried over from the previous financial year.

“The Office of Fair Trading was also successful in obtaining a total of $2.6 million in redress for consumers during the same time period.

“Matters about household and personal goods generated the most complaints state-wide for 2005-2006. The majority of these 2062 complaints were about whitegoods and electrical products.

“Traders not giving refunds and not honouring warranties in relation to faulty products and installation were common reasons for complaining.

“I urge all consumers to be aware of their refund and warranty rights when buying household items as these types of complaints consistently make an appearance in the Office of Fair Trading’s top 10.

“The number of complaints about traders in the real estate and motor dealing industries was also high across the state.

“This year the Beattie Government strengthened laws to provide even more consumer protections to clean up these industries.”

Mrs Keech said the Office of Fair Trading continued to monitor real estate agents and motor dealers and would target traders doing the wrong thing.

“The other types of complaints in the top 10 state-wide included gambling and scams with 972 complaints, personal and household services with 510, accommodation services with 364, printing and publishing with 349, telephone and communication services with 275, and household repairs with 224,” Mrs Keech said.

“Cairns consumers were most concerned with real estate agents, making this the number one complaint category in the region.

“Scams were the most complained about fair trading matter in Toowoomba and Southport. Printing and publishing related complaints also rated highly in Southport.

“A high number of complaints about accommodation services came from holiday destinations such as Mackay, Southport, Townsville and Sunshine Coast.

“The Office of Fair Trading’s jurisdiction covers a wide range of industries. In the 2005-2006 financial year it monitored around 30,000 businesses to ensure they were operating within the law and consequently, took enforcement action in 3000 instances.”

If you would like to lodge a complaint or require more information about making a complaint call the Office of Fair Trading on 13 13 04, or go to www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.

INQUIRIES: David Smith 3225 1005 or Sofia Hum (OFT) 3119 0071.