The newsletter of Consumer and Business Services No Images? Click here March 2017 From the CommissionerThis month we celebrate our rights as consumers with World Consumer Rights Day to be held 15th March. The Australian Consumer Law sets the standard for safe products, fair contracts and sound business practices. The international theme for this year is 'Building a digital world consumers can trust'. The theme complements the ever increasing number of individuals and businesses who are buying and selling a whole range of products and services online. CBS continues to expand its digital offerings and helpful resources for customers and this month we are promoting The Right Door. Consumers don't always know who to contact when an issue arises and so The Right Door has been designed to walk consumers through their rights and obligations and point them in the right direction for organisations that can help. CBS acknowledges the great input from other consumer and human rights agencies to develop the resource. CBS is helping business to get clear information and advice about their rights and responsibilities too. We recently reviewed and updated our online information for business. We look forward to offering more information and services electronically to customers into the future. In the meantime, take a few minutes to read about what else has been keeping CBS busy. Dini Soulio Commissioner for Consumer Affairs TenanciesInternational students - If you're one of the 32,000 international students that rent in SA, make sure you know your rights as a tenant. CBS has launched a new campaign to help students understand what's okay and not okay. Find out more about renting. Residential Bonds Online (RBO) - Agents can register for free RBO training either held at the CBS training centre or via webinar. The session offers practical instructions on lodging and managing bonds online. Enrol in RBO now RBO passwords - Improved security to the RBO system now requires users to change their passwords every three months. On the 9th May (and every three months thereafter), users will be prompted to change their password. These details and other instructions can be found in the RBO instruction manual for agents (PDF570KB), instruction manual for landlords (PDF1.3MB) and instruction for tenants (PDF675KB). Fair tradingMisleading and deceptive tactics - Not sure if you've been misled or deceived by a business? Understand the difference between clever marketing and misleading advertising. Extended warranties - Paying for an extended warranty may not give you any extra cover than you automatically get with consumer guarantees. Before you buy an extended warranty or care package see our warranty tips. NBN - If the NBN is or will soon be available in your area, you may be contacted with offers to migrate to the NBN. Some offers will be legitimate, some may be scams. Know your rights if approached uninvited. Hairdressing/barber services - Qualifications for hairdressers and barbers have recently been updated. A timely reminder that you have rights when you buy hair and beauty services. To get the best results from your next appointment: book with someone qualified; ask about the price before you book; and check the T's & C's before buying a daily deal voucher or coupon. More tips when visiting a hairdresser or barber. Product safetyEthanol burners - Portable ethanol burners continued to be banned from sale in SA. More than 100 injuries have been reported. Read more about the ethanol ban. Inflatable lounge - If you have been using an inflatable lounge in the water this summer, know the risks! Compliance at CBSDob in an unlicensed tradie - We thank those who responded to the campaign and dobbed in an unlicensed tradie. Approximately 60 reports have been received so far. Providing accurate details and evidence helps CBS progress action against those without a licence. 'Dob in' any time. Laundy action - An $11,000 fine has been imposed on Mr Laundy who contracted for building work without a licence. He has also been ordered to repay deposits to consumers valued at more than $11,000. Read more about the Laundy action. DJ Verandas - Recently convicted Mr David Jackson, trading as DJ Veranda's, was ordered to pay more than $20,000 in penalties and compensation to consumers. This conviction serves as a strong warning to others operating unlicensed. Read more about the DJ Veranda's action. Licensing and registrationWelcome Pack - A new online resource has been developed for new CBS licensees. The Welcome Pack brings together fact sheets, forms, instructions and legislation for all licensees in a one stop online shop. Replacement certificate - Replacement certificates are now available for downloading or printing at no cost.
Useful if you are waiting for a licence card or have lost or damaged a certificate. This service is available for most licensees including trades, security, real estate and motor vehicle dealers. Apprentice registration - Plumbing, gas fitting and electrical apprentices must be registered with CBS. Apprentices and employers are responsible to keep the registration process moving by making sure apprentices have a photo taken for their registration card. More information about apprentice registration. Reminder - Register for electronic notice delivery for the delivery of renewals, annual licence invoices and reminders for liquor and occupational licensees. Electronic Certificate of Compliance (eCoC) and extra licence checks- Now that certificates of compliance (CoC) can be lodged electronically with the Office of the Technical Regulator, there will be automatic licence checks with each lodgement. The licence number and scope of work will be checked against CBS records to confirm that a licence is valid. More information about eCoC's. Contact details - Need to contact CBS with a query about your licence? Email occupational@sa.gov.au for a direct response. Births, Deaths and MarriagesBaby names - 2016's most popular baby names have been revealed. Despite prediction from social commentators, Khaleesi, did not make the list! Read more about 2016 baby names. ResourcesLadder safety - Know someone who could use a reminder to be safe when using a ladder? Order a brochure and use the enclosed sticker to place on your ladder as a reminder to make safety matter. Order your ladder safety brochures now. Liquor and gamingLimited licences - One-off limited licence applications are now available online. Hard copies are no longer accepted. Apply now for a limited licence. NEW - Risk assessment and management plan - a new template is now available to assist liquor licensees comply with the Code of Practice. Download or view the risk assessment and management plan template. Online forms (iApply) - A new CBS initiative offering time savings to applicants will be rolled out shortly. Keep your eye out for the new online forms that will replace a significant number of paper based forms. Barrings - Are you a liquor licensee and unsure if and how you can bar a patron? Find out your rights and obligations when it comes to barring. You are receiving this newsletter because your email address is registered with Consumer and Business Services. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter and want to opt out please click here.
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