Reebelo Australia Pays $59,400 in Penalties for Alleged Misleading Claims About Consumer Guarantee Rights
- Barry Money
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Published: 3 June 2025
Based on an ACCC media release
Online electronics marketplace Reebelo Australia has paid penalties totalling $59,400 after the ACCC issued three infringement notices for allegedly misleading consumers about their rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
The infringement notices relate to claims made on Reebelo’s website that attempted to limit consumer guarantee rights to a strict 14-day window – a restriction the ACCC says does not reflect the law.
What Was the Issue?
Reebelo, which sells new and refurbished electronics such as smartphones and laptops, allegedly told customers that they only had 14 days to:
Seek remedies for faulty or damaged goods
Raise concerns about goods not matching their description
Request a remedy if the wrong product model was delivered
According to the ACCC, these statements are false or misleading, as they do not align with the consumer guarantee provisions under the ACL.
What the Law Actually Says
The Australian Consumer Law gives consumers automatic guarantees when they buy products or services, including guarantees that:
Products are of acceptable quality
Products are as described
Consumers are entitled to a remedy (such as a refund, replacement or repair) if a product fails to meet those guarantees
Importantly, these rights are not limited by arbitrary timeframes imposed by a business. Consumers may still be entitled to remedies well beyond 14 days, depending on the product and issue.
“It is against the law for a business to mislead consumers about their right to a suitable remedy,” said ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe.
Why It Matters
Many of Reebelo’s customers purchase refurbished high-value electronics—products that can have a higher risk of faults. If consumers are misled into thinking they’ve lost their rights after 14 days, they may forego valid claims for repairs, refunds or replacements.
The ACCC received numerous complaints from customers who reported problems securing remedies for faulty or incorrect items purchased through the platform.
“We are concerned that consumers may have faced financial harm from this conduct,” Ms. Lowe said.
Reebelo’s Response and Commitments
While the payment of penalties under an infringement notice is not an admission of wrongdoing, Reebelo Australia has agreed to:
Update its website to accurately reflect consumer guarantee rights
Improve its online complaint handling processes
Introduce staff training and awareness programs to ensure compliance with the ACL going forward
Bane Legal Services’ Take
This case is a strong reminder that businesses—particularly online platforms and marketplaces—must take consumer guarantees seriously. Businesses cannot contract out of these legal protections, no matter what their website terms or refund policies might say.
Even if you're acting as a marketplace intermediary (as Reebelo does), you still have legal responsibilities under the ACL. Misleading statements about consumer rights could land your business in legal hot water and reputational trouble.
Not Sure If Your Policies Comply?
At Bane Legal Services, we support business owners and franchise networks by:
Explaining your obligations under the Australian Consumer Law
Referring you to qualified legal practitioners for tailored compliance advice
Helping you develop clear and lawful refund, warranty and guarantee policies for your website or in-store signage
Disclaimer: Bane Legal Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This blog is for general information purposes only. If you need legal advice about your consumer law obligations, we can connect you with a qualified Australian lawyer.
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