www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Don’t let the gift card Grinch steal Christmas
by Alan Hynd 24 December 2013
R
edeem gift cards as soon as possible after Christmas – that’s the advice from Consumer Protection. A total of 37 complaints relating to gift cards have been received by the agency so far this year as well as 133 enquiries. Most were received soon after Christmas last year. Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll (pictured) encouraged consumers to be mindful of terms and conditions which may restrict gift card use. “It’s important for people to know that, if they receive gift cards for Christmas, they come with a set of terms and conditions that are often less flexible than cash,” Ms Driscoll said. “Take note of those terms and conditions and record the expiry date, as many complaints relate to people who try to redeem the gift card after it expires. There is a recurring issue of receiving change if the card’s full value is not redeemed. Unfortunately experience also shows that, in some cases, stores go out of business and the value on the card can never be
redeemed. “Consumer Protection’s iShopWA app allows consumers to set reminders for when gift cards are about to expire, but our advice is to use the cards as soon as possible after receiving it and redeem its full value to avoid any problems in the future.” Consumers are also reminded about their rights which entitle them to a refund, replacement or repair if the product they buy is faulty, unsafe or not as described. “In the past, Christmas has been haunted by late deliveries of gifts, disappointment with the product, problems returning gifts and difficulties in getting refunds,” Ms Driscoll said. “There are strong laws in place
to protect consumers and give them a guarantee that the products they buy from Australian-based retailers, including those trading online, are free from defects, fit for their intended purpose and match the description in any advertising. “If consumers want to return a gift because it’s the wrong size, they don’t like the style or colour or just want to exchange it for another gift they prefer, then the returns policy will differ from store to store. These types of returns are completely at the retailer’s discretion but they must abide by their stated returns policy. “Our iShopWA app will also give consumers important information about their rights at their fingertips, so downloading the app may help avoid any post-Christmas problems.” Consumers who cannot resolve their complaints with retailers direct, can contact Consumer Protection by email: consumer@ commerce.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 30 40 54. The iShopWA app is available for download from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) or from our website: www. commerce.wa.gov.au/ishopwa
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