Consumer law regulators spell out the customer rights.
The ACCC has been working with other Australian Consumer Law regulators including ASIC to provide information to consumers affected by the closure of Dick Smith.
As a result, ASIC has now published information about the closure on its website including how to register as an unsecured creditor. The ACCC also has general information about consumer issues arising when a company is under administration which can be found at: When a business goes bust.
The ACCC is advising that for goods purchased after January 5 2016, consumers with a faulty Dick Smith branded product should approach Ferrier Hodgson as operators of the Dick Smith business for a remedy.
Consumers with faulty non-Dick Smith branded goods should approach the manufacturer in relation to any consumer guarantee claims.
However for goods purchased before January 5, 2016, the receivers have advised they will not be providing refunds for faulty products:
- consumers with faulty non-Dick Smith branded goods should approach the manufacturer in relation to any consumer guarantee claims
- consumers who have a faulty Dick Smith labelled product should register with Ferrier Hodgson as unsecured creditors.
The receivers have also advised that those consumers who have previously purchased gift cards should register with the receivers as unsecured creditors.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for Dick Smith customers can be found on the Dick Smith website, via the ‘Receivership Customer FAQ’ link at the top of the page.
The ACCC also confirmed that the consumer rights and guarantees which are implied into all consumer transactions under the Australian Consumer Law (including repairs, replacement or refunds) continue to operate.