The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) along with State Minister, Vic Dominello and Fair Trading Commissioner, Rod Stowe are all standing up to Korean giant Samsung and its unacceptable response to its serious washing machine recall.
Stowe said clearly that,“We will continue to monitor the recall and hold Samsung accountable while ensuring consumer protections are enforced.”
“I welcome the support of the ACCC in alerting the public to the dangers posed by these recalled products and the remedies available to them,” Dominello said.
These comments followed this morning’s statement by the ACC that it had recently become aware of reports that some consumers with recalled Samsung washing machines have been offered a repair for their recalled machine, but not a replacement or refund.
A Samsung washing machine that wasn’t recalled.
“The ACCC is investigating these reports. If consumers purchased an affected Samsung washing machine, they have the right under the Australian Consumer Law to choose their remedy, which includes a refund, replacement or repair,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
The affected units have an internal fault where condensation can penetrate an electrical connector causing deterioration which may in turn cause a fire.
The ACCC is working closely with the NSW Office of Fair Trading who is leading this recall and addressing the safety concerns associated with these products in its capacity as the NSW electrical safety regulator.
“The recalled Samsung washing machines fail to comply with the consumer guarantee of acceptable quality, as they have a major safety failure. In these circumstances, the consumers have a choice of remedy which is not overtaken by the electrical safety recall,” Rickard added.
While the ACL consumer guarantees do not apply to goods purchased before 1 January 2011, an implied warranty of merchantable quality may apply, and the ACCC suggests consumers who purchased their appliance before 2011 talk to their supplier about options for obtaining a refund or replacement.
Meanwhile, in its September issue, Appliance Retailer will publish a detailed report on the actions that industry retailers are taking to help consumers. Samsung has been contacted for a response but has not responded.