Tips for lay-by shopping

By Dion Teasdale
CHRISTMAS is less than two months away, so now is the perfect time to start thinking about lay-by.
Not only will you avoid the stress of last-minute Christmas shopping, but lay-by is an excellent way to ease the financial strain that comes with the festive season.
Lay-by is widely used by shoppers in the lead up to Christmas, but many Victorians don’t know their rights when they use the system. Do you?
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) there are rules and regulations both consumers and retailers need to keep in mind.
A lay-by docket supplied by a retailer must contain certain information.
The words on the docket must be at least 10 points in size, be clear and legible and must be signed by both the seller and the purchaser.
The docket must also contain a full description of the goods, the price, the amount of deposit paid and the outstanding balance.
CAV also recommends that lay-by dockets detail when payments are due, the amount of any cancellation fee, or how that charge is to be calculated.
Consumers should also note that they are entitled to cancel a lay-by at any time, in writing, before the goods are delivered or received.
Correspondingly, suppliers must refund all money paid within 14 days, minus any cancellation charge.
CAV advises that consumers can challenge cancellation fees if it appears to be unreasonable.
If no cancellation fee is noted on the contract, or the goods are delivered damaged, than all money paid must be refunded.
The supplier can cancel the contract if the consumer breaches the agreement. However, the supplier must first inform the consumer of the breach and allow 14 days for the consumer to rectify it.
The supplier can charge the cancellation fee if the breach isn’t remedied, as long as the charge is included on the contract.
Any consumer or trader having a lay-by dispute can find out more by contacting CAV on 1300 558 181 or via the website at www.consumer.vic.gov.au