Scam Alert
Beware of 'The Catalogue Club NZ'.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs believes there is evidence to suggest that the trader 'The Catalogue Club NZ' may not be trustworthy.
Catalogue Club go door to door with a catalogue offering a range of furniture and electronic goods on a type of lay-by/credit/interest free deal. The date of the delivery of the goods is sketchy and not on the paperwork. Apparently consumers are told they have to make six weeks of payments, and then the goods will be delivered 15 days later. The paper work is scanty and does not comply with the law.
Consumers are not permitted to keep the catalogue which described the goods they have ordered. The Catalogue Club is not a registered company, nor is there any name of a registered company mentioned on the paperwork. There is also no actual person named, making it unclear who is legally responsible for performing this contract.
TVNZ reported recently on the Catalogue Club.
Our advice
We advise consumers who have signed up with the Catalogue Club, and are now worried that they may never get the goods to:
- Stop payments. Remember the bank must follow your instructions and cancel a direct debit from your account if you request it
- Cancel the contract (don’t send back the form provided by the Catalogue Club, send a photocopy or write a letter or email. Ask for your money back.
- Complain to the Commerce Commission, Ph 0800 94 3600
- If your money is not refunded take a claim to the Disputes Tribunal
See here for the Scamwatch information on door-to-door sales.
