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Consumer rights & money
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Protections when buying privately
Through deciding cases involving contractual disputes, the courts have developed a set of rules saying what happens when a contract is broken. If a seller of goods or a supplier of services has not done what they said they would do, in your contract with them (which may be oral or written), you may be able to sue them in the courts for breach of contract and obtain compensation.
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Consumer protection
Community Law
Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice and information.
Consumer Protection
www.consumerprotection.govt.nz
Consumer Protection helpline: 0508 426 678 (0508 4 CONSUMER)
Email: cpinfo@mbie.govt.nz
The Consumer Protection website has useful information on a range of consumer topics. Consumer Protection is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE).
FinCap
Phone: 0800 345 123
FinCap can help you with budgeting information online or on the phone. They may also suggest a local budgeting service to help you with debt and other budgeting issues.
Consumer NZ
The Consumer NZ website provides a wide range of information on consumer issues and template letters you can use to write to traders to enforce your rights. You can also order “Do Not Knock” stickers to deter uninvited door to door knockers on their website.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Phone: 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222)
Citizens Advice Bureaux have volunteers trained in consumer law who can provide you with information and advice about consumer problems.
Commerce Commission
Phone: 0800 943 600
Email: contact@comcom.govt.nz
The Commerce Commission enforces the laws against misleading and deceptive conduct by traders (the Fair Trading Act) and the consumer credit legislation (the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act). The Commission provides information on these areas on its website.
Consumer rights in another language
This site by the Commerce Commission has information about typical situations consumers find themselves in, in five different languages.
Product Recalls
This site lets you know which products have been “recalled” due to safety issues or product defects. You can generally return a recalled product to the place where you bought it to be repaired or replaced.
Motor Vehicle Traders Register
Phone: 0508 MOTOR TRADERS (0508 668 678)
Check to see if a motor vehicle trader is registered.
Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal
www.justice.govt.nz/Tribunals/motor-vehicle-dealer-disputes
Phone: 0800 268 787
The Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal deals with disputes of amounts up to $100,000. It can be more if both parties agree in writing.
Personal Properties Securities Register (PPSR)
www.ppsr.companiesoffice.govt.nz/
Search the PPSR register to see if there is any security interest registered against a vehicle. This can be done for a small fee by registering to check online
Proceedings in the District Courts
The Ministry of Justice website has information about making or responding to a claim in the District Courts. See: www.justice.govt.nz and search “claims to civil court”.
Buying a car privately
YouthLaw has produced a video on buying a car privately.
See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK8irFAn1as
New Zealand Police
www.police.govt.nz/stolenwanted/stolen-vehicles
Check to make sure a car that you’re considering buying hasn’t been listed with the police as stolen.
Dispute resolution schemes
There are four dispute resolution schemes for consumers dealing with lenders and other credit providers.
Financial Services Complaints Limited – www.fscl.org.nz
Phone: 0800 347 257
Email: info@fscl.org.nz
Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman
Phone: 0800 888 202
Email: info@ifso.nz
Banking Ombudsman – www.bankomb.org.nz
Phone: 0800 805 950
Email: help@bankomb.org.nz
Financial Dispute Resolution – www.fdrs.org.nz
Phone: 0508 337 337
Email: enquiries@fdrs.org.nz
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