The cost of living is putting strain on household budgets, but knowing your consumer rights will give you the confidence to shop around, research options and ask for better deals.
These tips will help you save and avoid some of the common traps along the way.
Grocery shopping
Unit pricing shows the value of a grocery product as a cost per standard unit of measurement. This is usually displayed on shelf labels.
For example, you compare laundry detergent:
- a 2.5 litre bottle costs $7.50, with a unit price of $3.00 per litre
- a 1.5 litre bottle costs $5.70, with a unit price of $3.80 per litre.
In this example, the bigger pack gives better value.
Use unit pricing to compare the cost of grocery products between brands, specials, pack sizes, between packaged and unpackaged, or fresh and frozen.
Purchasing fuel
Doing a little research before buying fuel might help you save. While a lot of factors can influence the price you pay for fuel, having a quick look on one of these fuel price apps or websites will help you find the best deals in your area.
Subscription traps
It’s a good idea to review your memberships and subscriptions regularly, as those small monthly costs can soon add up.
A new deal might be tempting if you’re offered a free trial or a discount for signing up to their newsletter. But always read the terms and conditions, be aware of any ongoing fees and check what the process will be to cancel.
Loyalty taxes
Did you know some customers are charged more than others for exactly the same product or service? Some businesses offer lower rates or premiums to new customers but charge higher amounts to loyal customers. Avoid a ‘loyalty tax’ by shopping around to compare deals by other providers.
Preselected options
When buying online, businesses must include all charges in the headline price of goods and services, including charges for pre-selected options. You can often choose to deselect options extras from your purchase, which may reduce the final price you pay.
Door-to-door sales and telemarketing
If a salesperson approaches you without an invitation or appointment, remember you don’t have to buy anything if you don’t feel comfortable. But if you agree to a contract, you have a cooling off period of 10 business days to reconsider, compare deals with other suppliers, and cancel without penalty. The seller must give you a written contract, including information about your cooling off rights.
Extra income
If you’re selling goods online you no longer need, be wary if someone is willing to buy an expensive item without viewing it in person, or they supposedly pay more than the agreed price and ask you to refund the overpaid amount. It could be a scam.
If you’re looking for a new work opportunity, be aware scammers sometimes post fake job ads on trusted platforms or websites. If you’re unsure, contact the company using information you’ve found yourself to check if the ad is real.
Remember your rights
Before forking out for repairs or purchasing a whole new item, check your rights. Under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) you’re entitled to a refund, repair or replacement if a consumer guarantee isn’t met – e.g. if an item doesn’t work properly or last for a reasonable period of time, regardless of any other warranty. The remedy you’re entitled to will depend on whether the issue is major or minor. Contact the business to explain the problem and how you’d like them to fix it.
For more information
See more tips to help ease the cost of living and watch the short videos: Be a savvy shopper video and Unit pricing video.
Read more about your protections from unfair trading.
If you’re concerned a business hasn’t done the right thing in their dealings with you, and you haven’t been able to resolve the issue directly with the business contact Consumer and Business Services (CBS) for advice.