If a retailer tells me a price for goods but it turns out it’s the incorrect price, do I have to pay the higher correct price?
I was quoted $40 for services and I paid by EFTPOS. Later I realised I’d actually been charged $240. Can I get my money back?
I answered an ad for a flat on TradeMe and found it was a flat being handled by a tenancy broker. I didn’t take the flat, but now I’m being charged a brokerage fee.
Does the price have to include Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
If a retailer tells me a price for goods but it turns out it’s the incorrect price, do I have to pay the higher correct price?
Yes, you have to pay the correct higher price. A consumer can’t insist on buying the goods at the advertised or displayed price. The law allows a retailer to make a genuine mistake but if you feel like you have been deliberately misled or the trader continues to advertise the goods at an incorrect price then you might be able to claim compensation under the Fair Trading Act.
I was quoted $40 for services and I paid by EFTPOS. Later I realised I’d actually been charged $240. Can I get my money back?
Any verbal quote for services is counted as a legal contract so you can go back to the firm and ask for your money back. If you have problems getting your money back or proving that you were quoted a lower price then firstly speak to the manager or person in charge. If you still don’t get anywhere then you need to write down exactly what happened and visit your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau who will be able to help you.
I answered an ad for a flat on TradeMe and found it was a flat being handled by a tenancy broker. I didn’t take the flat, but now I’m being charged a brokerage fee.
If you didn't reach any kind of agreement, then you can’t be charged for the brokerage fee. However, it is important to remember that the Residential Tenancies Act says a verbal agreement over the flat can be as binding as a written agreement, so if you agreed to take the flat, then backed out, you might have to pay for the brokerage fee. For more information on your situation, call the tenancy advice service of the Department of Building and Housing on 0800 83 62 62.
Does the price have to include Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
The Goods and Services Tax, GST, is a tax on most goods and services in New Zealand. It is charged at a rate of 15%. All prices quoted for consumer goods and services should be inclusive of GST. If the GST is not included in the price then this has to be made clear to the consumer.
GST rose to 15% from 12.5% on 1 October 2010.