Know your rights if presents go wrong

RECIPIENTS of dodgy or unwanted Christmas presents should check to see if they are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund.

Many Australians will be saddled with unwanted Christmas presents — some of which might not be exactly what was ordered or simply not up to scratch.

New statistics from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, showed up until mid-December about 26,900 complaints were lodged about substandard goods.

ACCC deputy chairwoman Delia Rickard said if you simply didn’t like the Christmas gift you received but there was nothing wrong with it, “you don’t have any rights under Australian Consumer Law to return it”.

However, Ms Rickard said, if the item failed to meet its description or was faulty you are entitled to have it repaired, replaced or refunded.

“If it’s a minor problem then the retailer can decide how to fix it, but if it’s a major problem then you get to choose what you want, whether it’s a repair, replacement or refund,” she said.

Ms Rickard said issues such as “ordering a size 8 and a size 16 turned up” enabled consumers to enforce their rights.

The Queensland Consumers Association’s spokesman Ian Jarratt said it was critical shoppers had proof of purchase before going down the path of returning the item.

“Consumers should always keep the receipt and if possible get it from the gift giver,” he said.

He urged shoppers to contact the retailer as soon as possible and be patient.