Sunday, June 29, 2008

Prices & paying for your purchases

The price that was advertised didn't include all the taxes and I think I was misled! The shop sold out of all of the sale items on the day the sale started—is this bait advertising? They told me the jacket was on sale, but I found out later they never sold it for a higher price. Find out more about misleading pricing and what you can do if you think you have been misled.

The ACCC is currently holding a public inquiry into the competitiveness of retail prices for standard groceries.

To help consumers decide when to buy petrol, the ACCC has compiled data on petrol price cycles in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. It also provides information on the determinants of petrol prices, country prices and links to other sites on the internet that provide petrol price data.

Many consumers find it convenient to pay for goods and services electronically. The Electronic Funds Transfer Code (EFT Code) protects consumers who use electronic banking to transfer funds. While advances in technology are exciting, scammers are also out there taking advantage of technological development to generate new scams. Learn how to transfer money safely.

A 'lay-by' arrangement can be a convenient way to pay for your purchases over a period of time rather than upfront. Each lay-by agreement is different, so check that you understand what you are agreeing to before you make your purchase.

Discount voucher schemes, including shopper dockets, may give you the opportunity to purchase goods and services from participating businesses at a discounted cost or with some other benefit. Before you purchase or use a discount voucher, you should carefully read the terms and conditions of the offer.

By checking your receipts, shopping around and researching the market, you can reduce the chances of paying more than you need to.

Promotions such as 'buy now, pay later' or 'interest free' are popular and may help you to make a purchase you might not have otherwise been able to afford. Before you take up one of these offers, make sure you are aware of all your rights and obligations so you don't get a surprise later on.

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission

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