VICTORIA: An iPhone app developed by Consumer Affairs Victoria is among the tools available to retailers and consumers struggling with the new Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
The Victorian consumer affairs regulator has released the MyShopRights iPhone app to provide on-the-spot information on refunds, warranties, defective goods, repairs and replacements. The information complies with the new ACL, which came into effect on January 1, 2011.
Consumer Affairs Victoria said the app, which is available for free on Apple's iTunes store, was the first of its kind in Australia.
In addition to providing consumer and retailer rights information, MyShopRights also has functions to enable consumers to store photos of receipts and give reminders of when lay-by payments are due and gift vouchers expire.
The launch of the app follows the issuing of infringement notices against high-profile fashion business M Webster Holdings in December 2010.
The business's Marcs, Jigsaw and David Lawrence brands were fined a total of $19,800 following the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's findings that their refund policies contravened consumer rights legislation.
M Webster Holdings has since issued a corrective notice to consumers admitting its earlier statements on refunds may have been misleading.
Consumer Affairs Victoria is business unit of the Victorian government's Department of Justice.