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https://finance.nine.com.au/2018/08/16/13/36/21-afl-and-nrl-clubs-misled-fans-on-merchandise-refunds
21 AFL and NRL clubs misled fans on merchandise refunds
By Stuart Marsh
2 hours ago
Twenty-one professional AFL and NRL teams have misled fans over return and refund policies surrounding the sales of club merchandise, it has been revealed.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found nine AFL clubs and 12 NRL clubs have policies on club merchandise such as jerseys, hoodies and caps that violated Australian Consumer Law.
Up until April 2018, many of the clubs made claims that items purchased are only eligible for a refund or return if they were purchased at full price and had not been worn.
All clubs investigated have since rectified their policies.
Under Australian law, simply because items are discounted does not mean they are not eligible for a refund or return.
Some of the clubs investigated by the consumer watchdog told fans they had to provide the original proof of purchase must be presented in order to attain a refund – when in reality any proof will suffice.
ACCC chair Rod Sims said football clubs do not sit outside Australian Consumer Law.
"We found that each club’s statements claimed consumers were only entitled to a remedy in very specific circumstances, when in fact consumers may be entitled to a remedy in many more situations under the Australian Consumer Law," Mr Sims said in a statement.
"Consumers have rights under the Australian Consumer Law guarantees which cannot be excluded, restricted or modified.
"If football fans buy a piece of merchandise that has a major failure, they are entitled to a choice of a refund or replacement."
The ACCC said consumers who buy items on sale or sold at clearance outlets are still eligible for refunds, repairs or a replacement unless the retailer brought the product's faults to the attention of shoppers prior to purchase.
Signs stating "No Refunds" or "No refunds or exchanges on sale items" are misleading and unlawful, and there is no restricted time period in which consumers must abide by when attaining a remedy for a faulty product.
Retailers also do not have to give you a refund or exchange or any other remedy if you simply changed your mind.
The ACCC identified nine AFL clubs with misleading policies:
- Carlton Football Club
- Collingwood Football Club
- Essendon Football Club
- Fremantle Football Club
- Geelong Football Club
- Hawthorn Football Club
- Melbourne Football Club
- Richmond Football Club
- Sydney Swans Football Club
The ACCC also identified twelve NRL clubs with misleading policies:
- Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Football Club
- Canterbury-Bankstown Rugby League Football Club
- Cronulla Sutherland District Rugby League Football Club
- Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club
- Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club
- Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club
- Newcastle Rugby League Football Club
- Parramatta Eels Rugby League Football Club
- South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club
- St George Illawarra Rugby League Football Club
- Titans Rugby League Football Club
- Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Club
