Dodgy shopper items are more than likely to drive Queenslanders to complain, as pandemic-related provide points and repair shortages proceed to frustrate the state.
Queensland’s Workplace of Truthful Buying and selling clawed again greater than $11 million in 2022 and shopper complaints continued to eclipse pre-pandemic ranges.
Rising price of dwelling pressures underscored the significance of shoppers getting what they paid for, Lawyer-Common and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman stated.
“Final 12 months the OFT finalized greater than 19,300 complaints from Queensland shoppers,” Minister Fentiman stated.
Private and family items garnered essentially the most complaints of any trade at 6200, a greater than 50 p.c enhance on pre-pandemic ranges.
Complaints surge by the hundreds
Complete shopper complaints processed by the OFT have ranged between 18,500 and 19,300 for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic started, up from a median of round 15,000 within the 5 years to 2019.
“There has additionally been a rise of greater than 80 per cent in complaints for the non-public and family companies trade for the reason that pandemic – this trade consists of complaints about companies similar to white items repairs, removalist companies and cleansing firms,” Ms Fentiman stated.
Motorcar gross sales, actual property brokers and car companies had been Queenslanders’ subsequent three largest causes for competition.
The Lawyer Common’s Workplace stated will increase had been to be anticipated resulting from pent-up demand and provide chain points throughout COVID-19, and the OFT was monitoring the problem carefully.
The federal government stated it anticipated such points to ease as provide chain points resolved, however beneficial shoppers do their analysis earlier than lodging a criticism with the OFT.
-AAP
