Refurbished marketplace Reebelo pays penalties for consumer breaches

Online electronics marketplace Reebelo Australia has paid € 55,000 in penalties following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC issued three infringement notices, alleging that the company made misleading statements about the rights of consumers under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). At issue were website claims that implied customers only had 14 days to seek remedies for faulty or incorrect products.

Legal rights extend beyond 14 days

According to the ACCC, these claims may have misled consumers into believing they had limited time to claim a refund or replacement. In fact, under the ACL, consumer guarantees are not restricted to a 14-day period. The guarantees provide protection when goods are defective, do not match their description, or are not the product ordered.

High-end refurbished goods affected

Reebelo’s model involves facilitating sales of refurbished and used electronics such as smartphones, like Apple iPhones, and computers. Multiple consumer complaints alleged that it was difficult to obtain redress for issues with these products. The ACCC stated that it is unlawful for a company to suggest consumers are not entitled to appropriate remedies.

Reebelo agrees to improve practices

Although Reebelo has not admitted fault, the company has accepted the penalty and committed to improving its operations. This includes updating website information, training staff, and enhancing its complaints process to better align with consumer law obligations. The Sydney-based operation is part of Singapore-headquartered Reebelo, which has expanded its refurbished tech platform globally since its founding in 2019.

Global growth and sustainability focus

The company, which also has a U.S. base in San Mateo, California, positions itself as a sustainability-oriented marketplace for tech devices. While the recent ACCC action has cast a spotlight on its compliance, Reebelo continues to grow in a sector focused on cost savings and e-waste reduction.