The Federal Court has fined Booktopia $6M for making false or misleading representations on its website, and in dealings with consumers about their guarantee rights, following an investigation from the competition watchdog.
Australia’s number one online bookstore admitted that from at least January 2020 to November 2021, it made misleading statements that consumers could only get a refund, repair or replacement if they notified Booktopia within 2 business days of receiving a product that was faulty or not what they ordered.
Booktopia also admitted that its Terms of Business contained misleading representations, and that it also told porkies to 19 individual consumers in customer service calls.
Booktopia’s Chairman, Peter George says the company is "glad to put the issue behind" it. But with five years to pay the millions in instalments, the regret might linger a little longer.