By Natalie Gauld, Managing Editor of Proctor
Facebook Marketplace businesses have the same responsibilities to customers as regular firms and companies, the Commissioner for Fair Trading has reminded sellers.
A Gold Coast demountable building supplier has been ordered to pay $10,000 and its representative has been ordered to pay more than $45,000 in fines and compensation in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today (23 May) after pleading guilty to accepting payment and failing to supply goods within a specified period.
The business and its representative left a consumer more than $37,000 out of pocket after they ordered a demountable building via Facebook Marketplace.
An order was confirmed as being in stock and was to be delivered.
Over the six weeks following the payment, multiple changes were made to the order and delivery date before eventually agreeing to a full refund.
When the refund was not paid, the consumer lodged a complaint with the Office of Fair Trading.
To date, no refund has been provided to the consumer. Commissioner for Fair Trading Victoria Thomson reminded traders of their obligations to their customers.
“Traders need to honour their commitments to consumers and deliver the products and services their customers have paid for,” Ms Thomson said.
“Online businesses - including those using platforms like Facebook Marketplace - have the same responsibilities as bricks and mortar businesses.
“The Office of Fair Trading will continue to stand up for Queenslanders who don’t receive what they have paid for.”
If you haven’t received goods or services you’ve paid for, the Office of Fair Trading recommends approaching the trader in the first instance.
If unsuccessful, you can lodge a complaint.
