JB Hi-Fi refunds 200 customers $250,000 over Jb Hi-fi Pricing Misleading Claims
JB Hi-Fi has started refunding about $250,000 to more than 200 customers after the ACCC said its jb hi-fi pricing misleading claims involved online promotions for discounted products. The retailer is contacting affected shoppers directly, and customers do not need to approach the company to receive payment.
ACCC pricing claims
The refunds relate to online product pricing from March to September last year, when the ACCC said JB Hi-Fi promoted 17 products as discounted from a previous higher price. The regulator said the claims covered several products, including two laptops, a VR headset and a gaming monitor.
Luke Woodward said businesses must get price information right. “It is critical that businesses ensure that pricing information provided to consumers is accurate, and that discount deals are genuine. We will not hesitate to take appropriate action when we see evidence of breaches of the Australian Consumer Law” he said in the ACCC statement on Thursday.
Woodward also said, “Businesses must not mislead consumers with incorrect pricing displays, including listing incorrect 'was' prices when advertising promotions, whether online or in store”.
JB Hi-Fi refunds
The ACCC said JB Hi-Fi claimed some items had previously been marked at a higher “was” price when the products were either never offered for sale at that level or were only offered there for a short period. In some cases, the higher price had been used long before the promotion.
JB Hi-Fi has already provided some refunds automatically. The company is paying back customers about $250,000, and the consumer watchdog said it will not take any further action.
Woodward said, “JB Hi-Fi's conduct deprived consumers of the opportunity to make informed purchasing decisions based on accurate information, as they may have decided not to buy the products if they knew the claimed discount was not genuine.”
Nick Wells sales update
The ACCC said the misleading “was” prices were largely due to system errors or human error, and some of the pricing errors were addressed by JB Hi-Fi before the investigation. Last month, group chief executive Nick Wells said technology categories were facing “significant supplier component related cost increases and stock availability shortages, along with heightened competitive activity.”
Wells also said, “We will remain focused on what we can control and seek to maximise demand through driving great value for our customers, leveraging our strong supplier relationships, and delivering exceptional customer service.”
