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Watchdog Chases Vacuum Retailer Dodgy Sales

Watchdog Chases Vacuum Retailer Dodgy Sales


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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it has filed proceedings in the Federal Court against Lux Distributors, alleging unconscionable conduct in relation to the sale of vacuum cleaners to elderly consumers.

The ACCC alleges that between 2009 and 2011,  a Lux sales rep called five elderly consumers under the premise of a ‘free vacuum cleaner maintenance check.’

The consumers, some of whom were aged over 90, were then allegedly subjected to unfair sales tactics pressuring them into purchasing a vacuum cleaner costing as much as $2280.

This contravened section 51AB of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and section 21 of Australian Consumer Law.

Lux distributes domestic vacuum cleaners in Australia and primarily markets through in-house demonstrations.

The watchdog is seeking an injunctions and the payment of pecuniary penalties and costs from Lux, as well as the implementation of a trade practices compliance program.

The matter has been filed in the Federal Court’s Fast Track List and due to be heard before Justice Dodds-Streeton in Melbourne on 6 July 2012 at 10:00am.