The New South Wales Fair Trading Complaints Register has completed one year since its inception, registering a total of 4,765 complaints.
In the past 12 months, Harvey Norman was the subject of the largest amount of complaints to the NSW agency, with a total of 376. Apple followed closely, in second place, with 265 complaints, while The Good Guys came in equal fourth with Samsung Electronics, with both companies being the subject of 213 complaints each.
A total of 79 businesses appeared in the Complaints Register in the past year. However, according to Acting NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Andrew Gavrielatos, the positive point is that 29 of the 79 businesses appeared only once.
“While some traders continue to appear month after month, more than a third never made a second appearance,” Gavrielatos said.
“This is a clear sign that the Register is having the desired effect of encouraging businesses to improve the service and product they provide to NSW consumers,” he said.
“The Register also provides an avenue for consumers to help each other; if enough report a trader’s poor service, they can help warn fellow consumers via the Register.”
The NSW Fair Trading also released the July’s list with 22 businesses and a total of 342 complaints between them. The top three spots were respectively Harvey Norman (39 complaints), online ticket reseller Viagogo (30) and Samsung Electronics (27).
The NSW Fair Trading started compiling complaints for the tally in July 2016, with the first list released in August the same year.
It lists businesses who received 10 or more complaints during each month. The first list ever published saw Harvey Norman receive 29 complaints, The Good Guys 16 and Apple 13.
In July, fidget spinner seller, Fidget Australia, was at the top of the list with 56 complaints. Harvey Norman, Apple, Samsung Electronics, The Good Guys and Android Enjoyed all appear in the top 15 most complained about businesses in NSW during that month.
