Transcript
Let’s look at an example of accepting a reasonable outcome.
Martha made a minor case claim against an air conditioner supplier after her air conditioner unit had a major failure only one year after it was installed, and the supplier refused to provide a remedy. Martha tried conciliation with Consumer Protection, but the supplier wouldn’t cooperate.
Martha wanted an exact replacement of the unit, as she liked the look and features and thought it was unfair that she should have to shop around for another model and have it installed.
In the pre-trial conference, the supplier offered to refund Martha for the unit instead of replacing it. This was the first time the supplier had offered any remedy.
A refund meant Martha had to find a new air conditioner and pay to have it installed, which she had hoped to avoid. However, Martha would save time and stress by settling the dispute sooner than expected. She also knew that she may not get a better result from a magistrate’s decision, so it could be a waste of time to keep fighting.
Martha decided to take the offer, which became a consent order. It wasn’t what she wanted at first, but it was a decent remedy that hadn’t been offered before she applied to court.
Keep in mind, each case is different and sometimes a consent order may not be right for you. It’s important to seek legal advice to help with these decisions.
Conclusion
Up next is our final video in this series, a walk-through of a day in court.
To better understand your consumer or rental rights, visit our website at consumerprotection.wa.gov.au or give us a call on 1300 30 40 54.
Also see the video description for other helpful resources.