Samsung Electronics has been ranked the number one most complained about business in the State so far in 2023, according to NSW Fair Trading’s complaints register.
NSW Fair Trading received 416 complaints against the technology company this year with consumers unhappy about the quality of goods, difficulties with refunds and warranty claims.
The register publicly lists businesses online with 10 or more complaints, lodged with NSW Fair Trading, in a calendar month.
Tru Water, a supplier and distributor of water filtration products, systems, and accessories, received 321 complaints.
On June 4, NSW Fair Trading issued a public warning against SPG Consultants Pty Ltd, trading as Tru Water, urging consumers to avoid dealing with the company due to complaints the business is not delivering goods and is misrepresenting products advertised online.
Companies rounding out the remaining spots in the top five for the first half of the year include Ticketek with 281 complaints, Injectable Institute Australia with 168 and Qantas with 160.
NSW Fair Trading receives more than 80,000 requests a year from consumers needing help to resolve a problem with a business supplying goods or services. More than 38,000 requests have been received since January 2023.
All complaints are carefully assessed, and the conduct of the trader is considered before a decision is made on what action, if any, needs to be taken. This includes educational advice to the trader, warnings, and penalty notices.
The register only includes complaints made by people who have had an interaction with the business at the centre of the complaint.
Consumers can make a complaint to NSW Fair Trading by visiting: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/online-tools/make-a-complaint.
Quotes to be attributed to NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Natasha Mann:
“We want NSW consumers to be informed about the products and services they buy and who they buy from,
“Releasing these complaints empowers everyone to create a fairer marketplace. Many of these complaints could be avoided if businesses resolved disputes more efficiently with their customers when things go wrong,
“Consumers have a right to repairs, replacements and refunds if a product or service they pay for isn’t up to scratch,
“They should also expect that any problems with a seller are handled and resolved within a reasonable time frame,
“NSW Fair Trading takes every legitimate complaint seriously and carefully determines what action should be taken to resolve the issue and protect consumers.”
