Does a Business Have To Submit Their Terms and Conditions to some Government Authority?

Because consumers can only see online terms and conditions, which are hosted on respective business websites.
They can change at their will.

I purchased a sofa from a business which sells ex demo, ex rental, discontinued items, excess orders, seconds furniture.
This business has a website and warehouse/office etc.

On their terms and conditions on their website on sale day it was written (deposits of $50 per item purchased. Items over $1000 requires $100 deposit.Your deposit secures the item and it's non refundable).

On sale day I choose an item with price tag of $1000, the sales representative said to pay $100 deposit.
I said Items over $1000 requires $100 deposit, other items require only $50 deposit.
I didn't have internet access to show this sales representative, so I just paid $100 deposit.
After coming home I checked terms and condition and ask for return of the extra deposit of $50 I paid.

Within minutes, they change the terms to "Once you have selected an item, a $50, non refundable deposit per item (under $1000, $100 for items over $1000) is required to secure your purchase, and refuse to refund extra deposit I paid.

Comments

  • +1

    I don't get it? You paid twice the deposit you had to so would like half of it back but the store duped you even though it's a deposit and you still need to clear the balance? Cool story though.

    edit: I see you've edited but I'm sticking to my original. Surely they subtract the deposit payment from the total … what's the real problem here? Are they ripping you off or are you that bored you want to fight for 50 bucks that you shouldn't have had to pay immediately but certainly needed to pay at some point down the track?

    • -5

      I just feel that they are acting dishonestly…and also there should be some regulation that businesses should submit their terms and conditions in writing to some government authority.

      • +2

        Do you really want taxpayer money wasted on reviewing every companies T&Cs? I'm sure there are places you can submit complaints to if you have issues, but in this case, you're not even losing out.

        • idiot tax

  • +2

    Confusing, poorly written title and story. So basically, you were interested in a sofa that was exactly $1000 and was told a $100 deposit was required, thus paid $100. After checking online, your understanding of the T&Cs is that only a $100 deposit was only for purchases >$1000.01 and purchases of $1000.00 and under only required $50 deposit.

    Assuming that you haven't been playing games with the seller and that you still want the sofa, you will eventually have to pay the rest of the balance off ($900 or $950 if the deposit paid was $50).

  • +5

    How could a government department keep track of the t&c's of hundreds of thousands of businesses and why would they want to? They would have people complaining to them about a retailer asking for a $100 deposit instead of a $50 deposit.

  • +6

    So….let me get this right.

    You want your $50 back for a few days, until you pick up the item and pay the $50 back to them including the rest of the outstanding amount?

    Why are you wasting our Ozbargain time with this crap haha.

    • +1

      You wasted time reading, thinking and replying
      I wasted time reading, thinking, reading your reply and replying you

      • +1

        And you just wasted my time reading your comment now, haha

        • +1

          At least we can vote on comments - why can't we vote on the original post?

        • @SlickMick: Good point :)

  • +2

    T&C's usually allow for changes to t&c's at anytime and without notice.
    At least they didn't raise the deposit required to $200

  • Just a waste of our time, lol

    • Just a waste of our time, lol

      I don't get comments like these. No one specifically asked you for your advice/comment. You are under no obligation to reply to every single thread, you do know that, right? If you don't have anything to say, move on…

      • I don't get comments like these

        Marcsie probably doesn't read your posts.

        No one specifically asked you for your advice/comment.

        Generally a forum does invite advice/comments.

        You are under no obligation to reply to every single thread, you do know that ?

        Only JV feels that he is obligated to reply to every single thread, and that's only for deals.

        If you don't have anything to say, move on…

        Marcsie did have something to say - "Just a waste of our time, lol"

        • -1

          If you don't have anything to say, move on…

          What I meant to say was, "why go out of your way to be mean to someone?" :

          Marcsie 18 hours 13 min ago
          Have you ever heard the word "Google" ? lol

          /

          Marcsie replied to HugoHugo on The book (or books) that changed your life - What titles do you hold close?
          Please help, I have sore eyes, lol

        • Thanks Baysew, you are my best friend here now :)

        • Obliged, not obligated. Please release me from Americanisms. By the way don't get me started on JV ☺️

      • I am totally entitle for my option, if you don't like it, it will be your problem, not mine, so get over it :)

        • Marcsie on 10/10/2015 - 16:43
          The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama :)

          Here's a quote from the book you've recommended we should all read:

          Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.

          :)

        • +1

          @Jar Jar Binks: I know, I am not just perfect like you :)

  • Oh dear

  • +1

    you can always use Google cache or online archieve and get a 'snapshot' of the T&C before they change it

  • You were going to pay buy that item anyway. Unless the item is worth less than $100 why waste your time worrying about $50 which you will claim sooner or later? $50 might sound a lot but it is loose change these days.

    • +1

      It is certainly loose change compared to the 1000 he/she is about to drop. Looks like somebody is having a change of mind

  • Really? This is all you have to worry about?

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