Do I legally need a receipt for a refund of faulty electrical goods?
You’re in Australia, yes? Section 71(1) of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) states that: ‘Where a corporation supplies (otherwise than by way of sale by auction) goods to a consumer in the course of business, there is an implied condition that the goods supplied under the contract for the supply of the goods are of merchantable quality…’ It then goes on to explain that this does not apply to defects that are brought to your attention, or that you ought to have discovered when examining the goods. Presumably you didn’t examine the goods (because the kettle was sold in a box) or, in any case, you wouldn’t have noticed the fault anyway. Now if you used the kettle correctly and it broke down within a week, clearly it was not of merchantable quality. As such, you are entitled to a full refund from Big W. That, incidentally, is what businesses are talking about when they mention your ‘statutory rights’ in their refund policies. So legally you are entitled to a refund, there is no question
