Air con a hot topic at Consumer Protection
Issue Date: - Wednesday, 3 February 2010
During recent record breaking weather in WA it's not just the temperature that's been rising - the number of calls to Consumer Protection about air conditioning increased too. There were 124 enquiries in January 2010 compared to 105 in December 2009 - a 20% rise.
Things have been getting heated for consumers trying to get faulty air conditioning units fixed, because manufacturers or traders have gone out of business. Other consumers have paid large deposits for air conditioning which has yet to be installed.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll said consumers should take care when making big money purchases like air conditioning.
"Shop around for quotes, ask friends or relatives for recommendations, research a trader via the internet, request references before entering into a contract with them and make sure that the unit you decide on is big enough to air condition the space you require it to," she said.
"Don't pay a huge deposit with nothing in return - we recommend no more than ten per cent of the total cost, which should be made clear from the outset. Ideally make stage payments to coincide with the delivery of materials and wait until the job has been completed before paying the balance in full."
The Commissioner reminded consumers that purchases like air conditioning units are covered by a statutory warranty under Western Australia's Fair Trading Act.
"A statutory warranty means the item should match any description given and be fit for the purpose for which it was sold. If it turns out to be faulty a consumer is legally entitled to a remedy from the seller. This could be a repair, replacement or refund.
"The statutory warranty applies for a reasonable amount of time after purchase and that time-scale definition depends upon the price and type of item. For air-conditioning units which cost thousands of dollars you could be talking a period of years.
"Bear this in mind if you are offered an opportunity to purchase an extended warranty with a manufacturer as you may be paying to double up on protection you already have."
END OF RELEASE
(Consumer Protection is a division of the Department of Commerce)
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Media Contact: Alina Cavanagh 9282 0679 or 0423-846397 alina.cavanagh@commerce.wa.gov.au