Inform your customers properly about extended warranties
In October, local computer retailer, PB Technologies, was fined $77,000 in the District Court for not informing its customers of their rights under its extended warranties scheme. PB Technologies (PB Tech) had pleaded guilty to 14 charges brought by the Commerce Commission.
Over eight months in 2017, PB Tech sold more than 4,000 extended warranties but did not provide enough information for purchasers to properly understand the worth of these warranties. The extended warranties were sold in PB Tech’s retail stores and online.
If you are a retailer offering extended warranties on your goods, we remind you that under the Fair Trading Act 1986, you should provide a comparison of the cover provided relative to that available under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
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Workplace culture crackdown
The recent #metoo movement has drawn worldwide attention to workplace harassment. The New Zealand government has responded by collecting data about workplace harassment through confidential complaint lines and signalling clear expectations of New Zealand workplace culture.
Harassment may never be totally stamped out. However, your business can take steps to minimise harm and create a safer environment for your staff. These include:
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As you will no doubt be aware, from 1 July 2018 all law firms will be subject to the requirements of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML for short). At first glance you may wonder why we must adhere to these very strict requirements and why you will be asked for additional information.
New Zealand is currently regarded as one of the safest and least corrupt countries in the world; it’s important that we retain this position. As an export nation we rely on other countries being confident that they can send money to New Zealand and also to receive money knowing that it is not being tainted by the proceeds of crime.
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The advantages, pitfalls and the Kawarau Falls case
If you live in one of New Zealand’s cities, it’s likely that you’ve noticed a multitude of brand-new apartments, terraces, and town houses popping up in your area. You may have decided that you too, want to secure one of these brand-new properties as an investment or as a home. What do you need to know before taking the plunge?
Many people choose to buy these kinds of properties ‘off the plans.’ Developers make building plans and specifications available to prospective purchasers and sell the properties ahead of construction as a method of convincing the bank to fund their project.
To secure one or more of these properties for yourself, you would need to enter into an agreement where you agree to pay a deposit (usually 5%–10 % of the developer’s asking price for the property) and then pay the balance on completion.
Before entering into any agreement with a developer, you should be aware of the advantages, and pitfalls, of buying off the plans. We have set out some below, but they are by no means exhaustive.
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In December last year the Consumer Law Reform Bill passed into law. The legislation incorporates the most significant developments into New Zealand consumer law in more than 20 years. This article looks at how businesses will need to comply with the changes.
The new laws will strengthen consumers’ rights, simplify business compliance and ensure consumer protections are clear and accessible. The changes are also designed to achieve alignment with Australian consumer law by amending several consumer related acts, the Fair Trading Act 1986 (FTA) and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA). Other changes reflect advances in modern business practices and technology, such as internet and credit card transactions, online auctions, increased selling of extended warranties and sales campaigns conducted via social media, telephone and text.
How long to comply?
Most of the changes don’t come into effect until 18 June 2014 so your business will have time to change contracts and trading practices in order to comply with the legislative changes. The key changes which you will need to consider are summarised under three key dates. Continue reading
Minister of Consumer Affairs John Boscawen today announced that a Consumer Law Reform Bill to strengthen consumers’ rights and simplify business compliance will be introduced to Parliament later this year.
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