DUBBO consumers are being urged to take extra precautions when shopping online, with complaints across the state surging to more than 17 per cent.
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NSW Fair Trading received 6666 complaints about online trading in the 2013-14 financial year, compared to 5683 complaints in the 2012-13 financial year.
NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox said this was a significant increase and in the lead-up to Christmas, consumers are being urged to read the fine print and buy from reputable online retailers.
Transactions involving electronic goods, computers and mobile and smart phones made up the majority of complaints from online shoppers.
"Complaints about mobiles and smart phones purchased online jumped more than 40 per cent to 384 in the last financial year,'' Mr Mason-Cox said.
"Most complaints related to non-delivery of goods, requests for refunds, defective goods or unsatisfactory quality of goods."
While a number of factors contributed to the rise in complaints, including more consumers buying online, some traders simply failed to fulfill their obligations under consumer guarantees.''
Mr Mason-Cox said regardless of whether you buy from an Australian online retailer or a 'bricks and mortar' store, you still had a right to remedy if the product you receive was faulty or not fit for purpose.
"If an issue with an Australian online retailer can't be resolved through communication with the trader, contact NSW Fair Trading for assistance," he said.
"Be careful when buying products from overseas retailers, as the Australian Consumer Law can be difficult to apply when it comes to obtaining redress such as a refund, replacement or repair, if the goods received are defective."
"If you're buying online, check the terms and conditions before making the purchase and always use secure payment methods to prevent fraud."
"Remember that if you use a credit card, you can generally get a charge back, if goods are not received.''