The ACCC legal action against The Good Guys has intensified as the consumer watchdog accuses the electronics retailer of misleading customers about store credit promotions. Between 2019 and 2023, the retailer allegedly ran deceptive campaigns and failed to honor promised store credits to thousands of eligible customers.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, The Good Guys conducted 116 promotions offering store credit or “StoreCash” to customers who purchased qualifying products. However, these ACCC legal proceedings reveal that many customers never received their promised benefits due to misleading terms and unfair practices.
Key ACCC Legal Action Allegations Against The Good Guys
| Hidden Opt-In Requirement | Customers needed to opt into marketing communications to receive store credit, but this crucial information was buried in fine print |
| Misleading Expiry Dates | Credits advertised as long-lasting actually expired within 7-10 days |
| Failure to Provide Credit | Thousands of eligible customers never received their promised store credit despite meeting all conditions |
ACCC Legal Stance on Consumer Protection
ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb expressed serious concerns about The Good Guys’ promotional practices, noting that many consumers likely made purchasing decisions based on these misleading offers.
“Businesses should be on notice that promotional conditions must be prominently disclosed to consumers, rather than buried in hard-to-find locations, or they risk enforcement action under the Australian Consumer Law.”
Gina Cass-Gottlieb, ACCC Chair
This case highlights the ACCC’s commitment to enforcing transparency in retail promotions. According to the Australian Consumer Law, businesses must ensure promotional terms are clearly communicated and honored.
Potential Outcomes of the ACCC Legal Proceedings
The ACCC is pursuing several remedies through this legal action:
- Consumer Compensation: Redress for customers who missed out on their rightful store credit
- Financial Penalties: Significant fines for violating consumer protection laws
- Compliance Reforms: Court orders requiring The Good Guys to transform their promotional practices
This case follows similar ACCC actions against other retailers, reinforcing the watchdog’s focus on fair advertising. The Consumer Law Action Group notes that misleading promotions remain a persistent issue in Australian retail.
Implications for Consumers and Retailers
For consumers, this ACCC legal case serves as a reminder to carefully review promotional terms before making purchases. The CHOICE consumer advocacy group recommends keeping detailed records of all promotional offers and communications with retailers.
For retailers, the message is clear: transparency isn’t optional. Marketing promotions must clearly disclose all conditions, and promised benefits must be delivered. The retail industry may see stricter self-regulation following this high-profile ACCC legal challenge.
What This ACCC Legal Action Means for You
If you shopped at The Good Guys between July 2019 and August 2023 and believe you were eligible for store credit that wasn’t received, you may be entitled to compensation pending the outcome of this case. Keep your receipts and any promotional materials as evidence.
This ACCC legal battle reminds us that consumer rights matter. When businesses make promises through promotions, they must deliver on them—or face serious consequences.
Key Takeaway: Always read the fine print on store credit offers and keep documentation of your purchases and the promotional terms to protect your consumer rights.