Tech players continue to top the NSW Fair Trading Complaints Register, with Apple, The Good Guys, Telstra and Android Enjoyed dominating the top 10 most complained about businesses in the state for the month of March.
NSW Fair Trading released the results of the March Complaints Register on 28 April, with a record 36 businesses recording more than 10 complaints for the month.
Electronics and home goods retailer, Harvey Norman, topped the list with 43 complaints, more than double the average number of complaints per business recorded for March.
This month, the company has amassed complaints from 25 of its stores across the state, as well as its online website.
More than one third of businesses on this month’s register had complaints lodged about their online trading practices, and online ticket reseller Viagogo has made the list again with a total of 27 complaints.
Apple came in second on the monthly tally, with the tech giant the subject of 29 complaints received by NSW Fair Trading during March.
Electronics retailer, The Good Guys, came in at number five. The company, which was acquired by fellow electronics retailer, JB Hi-Fi, for $870 million last year, was the subject of 24 complaints to NSW Fair Trading in March.
Coming in at a close sixth on the list was Telstra, with NSW Fair Trading receiving 21 complaints about Australia’s largest telecommunications provider during the month.
Online electronics store, Android Enjoyed, came in at number eight, with the business, operated by Digital Skies Group, being the topic of 18 complaints.
Digital Skies Group was put on notice by NSW Fair Trading in September last year, with the regulator warning consumers not to deal with the company and its three online stores, Android Enjoyed, Camera Sky, and Klukker.
The estimated total market value of consumer detriment arising from interacting with the company’s online businesses was placed at $150,000 by the regulator.
Further down the March complaints list, but still appearing among the top 40 most complained about businesses in NSW during March were Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.
The latest list sees the return of several familiar names which appeared on NSW Fair Trading’s complaints tally for February, including Apple, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and Samsung Electronics.
Likewise, January’s list named Harvey Norman, Samsung Electronics and Apple among the top 10 most complained about companies in the state.
Last year Samsung Electronics, Apple, and Android Enjoyed shared the top three spots on the NSW Fair Trading list for November 2016, while Harvey Norman topped the list for December 2016.
More than one third of businesses on this month’s register had complaints lodged about their online trading practices, according to NSW Fair Trading.
“Most businesses have their own digital trading presence, and more and more consumers are purchasing goods and services online,” said Fair Trading Commissioner, Rod Stowe.
“Consumers should always ensure they are aware of a trader’s policies before making a purchase, particularly what to do if they experience problems with a transaction,” he said.
