Dick Smith supplier agrees to TV refunds

dicksmithElectronic goods importer, Yale Prima, will offer full refunds to consumers under its own 12 month manufacturer’s warranty for unrepairable televisions purchased from Dick Smith prior to January 5.

Yale, which imported televisions from China and onsold them to Dick Smith Electronics, provided the commitment after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) received reports that consumers were unable to obtain repairs, replacements or refunds for faulty goods after Dick Smith entered external administration.

“The ACCC’s investigation commenced after it and other ACL regulators received reports that consumers were unable to obtain repairs, replacements or refunds for faulty goods in the period immediately following Dick Smith Electronics entering external administration,” said Rod Sims, chairman, ACCC.

For several weeks, said the ACCC, Yale Prima referred all customer enquiries back to Ferrier Hodgson as the receiver for Dick Smith, despite its own ongoing ACL obligations. From 1 April 2016, Yale Prima offered a partial refund in place of the full refund promised in the manufacturer’s warranty.

“Under the ACL consumer guarantee provisions, a consumer has rights against both the retailer and the manufacturer of faulty goods,” said Sims.

Sims said anyone who bought a faulty JVC-branded television from Dick Smith and had not been able to resolve the issue should contact Yale Prima if the television was purchased before January 5 or Ferrier Hodgson if the television was purchased on or after January 5.

Access exclusive analysis, locked news and reports with Inside Retail Weekly. Subscribe today and get our premium print publication delivered to your door every week. 

You have 7 articles remaining. Unlock 15 free articles a month, it’s free.