Commission takes APG to court over 'unconscionable' door to door sales allegations
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched legal proceedings in the Federal Court against Australian Power & Gas Company Ltd, alleging it made false or misleading representations and engaged in “unconscionable conduct” in its door-to-door selling practices.
The case calls next month
The alleged conduct occurred across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria between January and October 2011.
“These are the fourth proceedings that the ACCC has instituted as part of its focus on door-to-door selling practices in the energy industry, and the first to include an allegation of unconscionable conduct,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
“Businesses who use door-to-door marketing must ensure their practices meet the requirements of the Australian Consumer Law. The ACCC will not hesitate to take action to protect consumers in their homes from misleading and unconscionable conduct, particularly where the conduct affects disadvantaged or vulnerable consumers.”
APG said in a statement it has been working with the ACCC with respect to these issues.
“To the extent that there are consumers that have been adversely affected, we are striving to ensure the customers get a positive experience from door-to-door sales,” APG chief executive James Myatt said.
He added that the door-to-door sales channel has “some inherent risks.”
The case will call on 18 October 2013.
Earlier today the Commission approved AGL Energy's $100 million takeover of the Australian Power and Gas Company.