Know your rights as an online consumer [Checklist]

Do you love the convenience of online shopping but worry that what you receive won’t match your expectations? Do you know what you can do if something goes wrong when online shopping?

It can be daunting to spend your hard-earned money on an online purchase with the risk of receiving a product or service that is different to what was advertised. But the good news is you are protected under the Australian Consumer Law – and you have very clear rights.

This downloadable checklist will help you understand all the guarantees that apply to you as a consumer, and put you on the right path to solving any online purchasing issues. We’ll cover steps like:

• Learning about consumer guarantees – Consumer guarantees are defined under the Australian Consumer Law and are basic rights that all consumers are entitled to. Thankfully, these laws apply to both physical and online stores.
• Checking refund and replacement policies – In the event that the product you purchase isn’t as advertised or the seller fails to provide a service you have paid for, you may be entitled to a refund or replacement. It’s always good practice to review the vendors refund and replacement policy before making any purchase.
• Reviewing the warranty – A warranty is a voluntary promise made by the seller, usually covering the circumstances for replacements, repairs and supply of parts for a specified period.
• Finding out whether you are entitled to compensation – In the event that you suffer loss or damages due to a problem that the seller should have reasonably foreseen, you may be entitled to compensation.

We also have helpful links for every Australian state and territory on where to go for consumer help, which may even apply when buying from platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.

Download the Know your rights as a consumer [Checklist]