Following a spike in consumer complaints since the pandemic, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has announced it has successfully redressed more than $11.2 million for Queensland consumers in 2022, including $716,745 in the Mackay region.
330 complaints were finalised by the OFT in the region with the most being made in personal and household goods, personal and household services, motor vehicle services, repairs, parts, motor vehicle sales and real estate industries.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said with more Queenslanders feeling the pressure from the rising cost of living, it’s important that consumers are getting what they paid for and that they feel they are getting value for money.
“Last year the OFT finalised more than 19,300 complaints from Queensland consumers,” she said.
“And the highest number of consumer complaints continued to be for the personal and household goods industry - with the OFT finalising more than 6,200 complaints.
“This category includes purchases of everyday items such as whitegoods, appliances, hardware, clothing and footwear – so it’s no surprise this continues to be at the top of the complaints list.
“However, since the pandemic, complaints have soared for these types of purchases, with more than a 50 per cent increase since 2019.
“There has also been an increase of more than 80 per cent in complaints for the personal and household services industry since the pandemic – this industry includes complaints about services such as whitegoods repairs, removalist services and cleaning companies.”
Increases are to be expected after pent-up demand and supply chain issues during COVID-19, an issue closely monitored by the OFT.
These issues encountered by consumers in these sectors are expected to return closer to trend as supply chain issues resolve.
Caption: Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman. Photo credit: Amanda Wright
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