Consumer and trader disputes
What is a consumer and trader dispute?
Consumer and trader disputes involve disputes against another person, trader or company arising out of a contract for the supply of goods and services, valued up to and including $25,000.
Goods include food, clothes, appliances and furniture.
Services include repairing a defect in a motor vehicle, car maintenance, meals served in restaurants and a haircut by a hairdresser.
However, your dispute may be a debt dispute, not a consumer and trader dispute, if it is about a fixed or agreed sum of money valued up to and including $25,000 e.g. an unpaid invoice or wages.
How can I resolve the dispute?
You should try and resolve your dispute directly with the other party by contacting them, holding a face-to-face meeting or writing to them. Some traders and companies have complaints processes in place or are part of an industry scheme that can resolve disputes.
Once you have reached agreement, you should write to the other party confirming your agreement. It is recommended that all parties sign the agreement and keep a copy.
If however, you are unable to reach a satisfactory outcome you can either choose to:
- invite the other party to attend mediation which is a way of settling a dispute without legal action. The Department of Justice provides a free mediation service through its Dispute Resolution Branch, or
- apply to QCAT to resolve your dispute. Claims must be lodged within six years of the incident happening.