Consumer Watch with Natasha Pirrottina: How to avoid being duped or disappointed shopping this Mother’s Day

Love your Mum – shop smart With Mother’s Day just around the corner, there’s no doubt you’ll be hunting for the perfect gift that shows you care — without getting caught out by dodgy deals or disappointing deliveries. In the lead-up to Mum’s special day, many retailers advertise special promotions to boost sales. While these offers can provide great value to shoppers, businesses must ensure that promotional pricing is accurate and not misleading. Prices that are wrong or likely to create a false impression should not be displayed by businesses. This applies to pricing that is shown in-store, through paid advertising, or via digital platforms such as websites and social media accounts. When advertising discounts, retailers must not mislead consumers about the amount they can save. For example, if a business says a product “was $120, now $80,” then the item must have been available for $120 for a reasonable period before the discount, otherwise the promotion is misleading. Similarly, if the $80 promotional price is used for an extended period, it effectively becomes the normal price, and advertising it as a special deal could mislead customers. A displayed price can also be misleading if it’s not the total amount the customer must pay. While optional extras can be offered, these must genuinely be optional. Charges that are unavoidable or pre-selected for customers cannot be disguised as extras and must be included in the advertised price Now you’ve selected the perfect gift, what’s next? Read the fine print! Can it be boring? Yes. Should you do it anyway? Absolutely. Whether buying Mum’s gift online or in a store, make sure you review the terms and conditions before you agree to buy. Under Australian Consumer Law a retailer does not have to give a refund or exchange if your mum doesn’t like the colour, it doesn’t fit, or she simply wants something else. Even if you’re certain your mum will love the gift, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so check the in-store policy to see if a return or exchange is available for “change of mind”. If Mum is met with disappointment because her gift was broken, faulty or not as described, you’ll be relieved to know you are entitled to a remedy under the ACL. Depending on the problem, this could be a refund, repair or replacement. It’s also worth keeping your proof of purchase for a period of time after Mother’s Day just in case. And don’t be a last-minute-Larry if buying for Mum online. Remember, you’re one of many making a purchase for the occasion and there may be delivery delays. If you do experience a problem with Mum’s gift, you should always talk to the business first. Most retailers want to do the right thing and fix any problems for their customers. If you are unable to resolve the problem, you can lodge a complaint with Consumer Protection via the website consumerprotection.wa.gov.au, or by calling 1300 30 40 54. Natasha Pirrottina is senior regional officer for Consumer Protection in the Mid West