Beacon Products and Zandox Group Face ACCC Court Action Over Alleged Unsolicited Sales Practices

Published: 12 May 2025

Based on Media Release from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

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The ACCC has launched Federal Court proceedings against two companies in liquidation—Beacon Products Pty Ltd and Zandox Group Pty Ltd—alongside Beacon’s director, Mr Warren Skry, over alleged unconscionable conduct and misleading or deceptive sales practices.

While Bane Legal Services does not provide legal advice, we help Australian businesses, franchises and not-for-profits connect with trusted commercial lawyers. If your business has been affected by similar unsolicited sales or aggressive supplier tactics, this case highlights the importance of knowing your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

What’s the ACCC Alleging?

The ACCC alleges that Beacon and Zandox used telemarketing calls to target small and medium businesses across Australia — including childcare centres, aged care homes, farms, and retirement villages — with deceptive sales tactics designed to:

• Mislead staff into believing they were confirming a pre-existing order for printer cartridges or cleaning supplies when no order had been made;

• Suggest that a single order created an ongoing agreement for recurring supply;

• Claim that orders could not be cancelled or that businesses had no right to return or receive refunds for unwanted goods;

• Use high-pressure tactics to make it difficult for businesses to opt out of unwanted future deliveries.

These actions allegedly breached several provisions of the Australian Consumer Law, and the ACCC claims the conduct occurred as a systemic pattern of behaviour since 2016.

Example of the Conduct

In one case cited by the ACCC, a small business in NSW received three deliveries of toner cartridges from Beacon, which it had initially accepted. However, when Beacon called again to confirm another delivery, the business clearly stated it wanted no further orders.

Despite that, the calls and deliveries continued, with Beacon allegedly refusing to accept returns or issue refunds, claiming the orders were authorised. The ACCC now alleges the business had a lawful right to cancel unwanted orders and return unsolicited goods.

Who Is Warren Skry?

The ACCC is also taking action against Mr Warren Skry, director of Beacon and allegedly a key figure behind both Beacon and Zandox. It claims he was “knowingly concerned” in the companies’ conduct.

This is not Mr Skry’s first run-in with the ACCC. In 2004, he and his former company, Globex Systems Pty Ltd, were subject to court orders for similar deceptive conduct — asserting payment was owed for unsolicited goods and misleading customers about prior agreements.

The ACCC is now seeking:

• Declarations that the companies and Mr Skry breached the law

• Pecuniary penalties (financial penalties)

• Disqualification orders against Mr Skry (banning him from managing corporations)

• Injunctions and court costs

A Note on the Companies’ Liquidation

Because Beacon and Zandox are in liquidation, the ACCC was required to obtain leave from the Federal Court before commencing proceedings. Liquidators were appointed in April 2023 following a creditors’ voluntary winding-up.

The ACCC alleges that Zandox was essentially a rebrand of Beacon, selling the same products using similar telemarketing strategies.

Why This Matters to Your Business

If your business has received unexpected products, or been pressured into recurring supply contracts you didn’t agree to, you may have rights under the Australian Consumer Law, even if you're not a retail consumer.

Many businesses mistakenly believe that consumer protections only apply to individuals—but that’s not true. Businesses are protected under the ACL when it comes to unsolicited sales, misleading conduct, and pressure tactics, especially from telemarketers and aggressive suppliers.

We Can Connect You with a Commercial Lawyer

At Bane Legal Services, we understand how distressing and costly it can be to deal with pushy suppliers, false invoices, or unexpected debt collection.

While we don’t offer legal advice ourselves, we can introduce you to a qualified Australian lawyer who can:

• Review unwanted supply arrangements or misleading invoices

• Help you understand your rights to reject unsolicited goods

  Assist in disputes over payment demands or contract terms

• Explore potential compensation or enforcement options

Final Word

The ACCC’s action serves as a timely reminder: even small businesses have legal rights when targeted by unscrupulous operators. If you've experienced anything similar — or just want to protect your organisation from unwanted supply arrangements — now is a good time to take proactive steps.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a media release issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Bane Legal Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. For legal advice, we can connect you with a qualified Australian lawyer.