Australia’s Harvey Norman served with class action over warranties

(Reuters) – Australia’s biggest appliance retailer Harvey Norman and one of its units have been served with a class action lawsuit on behalf of consumers who were allegedly sold bad warranties, law firm Echo Law said on Wednesday.

The class action is based on allegations that extended warranties sold by Harvey Norman offered “little or no value,” because consumers were already guaranteed the same rights under the Australian Consumer Law for free.

The law firm’s proceedings represent consumers who purchased an extended warranty between Sept. 17, 2018 and Sept. 17, 2024.

“We consider that Harvey Norman consumers who paid for Product Care should be entitled to compensation,” the law firm said.

Harvey Norman said in a statement that both the company and its unit have complied with “all relevant laws at all times and both intend to defend the proceedings vigorously.”

Echo Law did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the number of consumers it is representing and the compensation it is seeking.