Consumers should only buy electronics from reputable Australian retailers, rather than looking for a cheap deal overseas, says the National Retail Association (NRA).

The NRA is urging Australians to buy locally for safety and legal reasons.

The call follows the eighth ACCC recall of so-called “hoverboards”— the popular Christmas gift with a tendency to start fires.

NRA CEO, Trevor Evans, said recent recalls of electrical goods underlined the benefits of shopping from an established, Australian-based retailer.

“If you do finish up with faulty goods – as has happened recently with imported ‘hoverboard’ products – you will be able to rely on Australian consumer laws to arrange for a refund, repair or replacement from a local supplier,” Evans said.

“You will also have a range of legal rights and protections in the event that a product range is deemed dangerous and is recalled by Australian authorities.

“However, if you imported the goods via an overseas-based store, you are not entitled to any of the protections of Australia’s very strong consumer laws. You are completely on your own.”

Evans also warned against buying electrical goods at local flea markets or at pop up stores which may not be around when faulty goods needed to be returned in the future.

“If you shop with reputable and well-established stores, you can be confident that your rights will be respected in the event that you have problems down the track,” Evans said. “Picking up an item at a lower cost might be appealing, but you have to ask yourself what price you will pay in the long term.”

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