ACCC slams dodgy caravan suppliers

Australian buyers have reported widespread consumer guarantee failures, misrepresentations by caravan suppliers, and unexpected delays in the delivery and repair of caravans, according to the ACCC’s new caravan retailing report.

The scathing report highlights key issues of concern in the market for new caravans and provides guidance to businesses about their obligations to comply with Australian Consumer law.

In an ACCC survey of 2270 caravan owners, 80 per cent reported having experienced problems with their new caravan. The consumer watchdog said it had received more than 1300 complaints about caravans over the past five years.

“A caravan can represent a significant financial and emotional investment. Some people save for years in anticipation of purchasing and travelling in a caravan. If something goes wrong the harm can be significant,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.

"Under Australian Consumer Law, if your caravan fails to meet one or more consumer guarantees, for example it is not of acceptable quality or doesn’t match a description made by a supplier, then you are entitled to a remedy from the supplier. A remedy can be a repair, replacement or refund," she said.

"If a consumer guarantee failure is minor, the supplier can choose to offer you a repair. If the supplier refuses to offer you a repair for the minor failure, you are entitled to a refund or a replacement. 

"If a failure is major, you are entitled to your choice of a replacement or refund. It is also important to note that multiple minor failures can be considered a major failure, which entitles you to your choice of a refund or replacement.

Consumer law non-compliance

Many consumers told the ACCC that when they experienced a failure with their caravan, they were unable to obtain a remedy or that the remedy provided did not fully address the failure.

“We are very concerned by these reported failures to comply with obligations under the Australian Consumer Law, and the impact that these failures have on consumers who have purchased a caravan which develops a fault,” she said.

“Consumers need to be confident that when they make a significant financial purchase like a caravan, they will be able to get a refund, replacement or a repair if there is a failure.

“It is the ACCC’s view that it is reasonable to expect a new caravan won’t develop a major fault within the first several years of use.”

The ACCC said that under Australian Consumer Law, a retailer must provide the consumer with a remedy when there is a consumer guarantee failure. However, the Australian Consumer Law also provides the retailer is entitled to recover any costs associated with providing that remedy from the manufacturer. This reimbursement includes parts and labour associated with repairs.

In response to an ACCC survey, 40 per cent of caravan suppliers or dealers reported that a manufacturer had refused to reimburse them for providing a remedy to a consumer.

“While a supplier can take legal action against a manufacturer to recover costs, the ACCC’s survey of suppliers found some were reluctant to take this step due to fear of retribution,” she said.

“We are very concerned by reports that retailers are unable to obtain the reimbursement they are entitled to for providing remedies to consumers.”

Misleading customers

Ms Rickard said the ACCC is also concerned that many consumers believe suppliers have misled them during the sales process or when problems with their caravan arose. The most frequently reported misleading claims were about consumer guarantee rights and their interaction with warranties. 

“If your caravan has a major or minor consumer guarantee failure you may be entitled to a remedy even if the warranty provided by the business has expired,” she said.

Caravan buyers also reported they believed suppliers made misrepresentations about their caravan’s performance capabilities, and tow-weight. 

“The ACCC will investigate and take enforcement action against suppliers and manufacturers we believe may have misled consumers,” she said.

The report also found that many consumers experienced delays in the delivery of their new caravan, or for repairs to their existing caravan, some of which relates to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions and recent increased demand.

“We expect that suppliers will be upfront with consumers about the timeframe for delivery of their caravan and any potential delays during the sales process and continue to proactively communicate until delivery,” she said.

The ACCC said it strongly supports proposals to strengthen the Australian Consumer Law, including by enabling enforcement actions and penalties for when suppliers have failed to provide remedies for consumer guarantee failures and when manufacturers have failed to reimburse suppliers for providing remedies.

The ACCC has also released guidance around buying a new caravan to help consumers and businesses understand their rights and obligations when buying and selling caravans.