Discover the top 5 businesses that customers are complaining about the most
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This year's list of the most groused-about businesses has come to light, with several contenders appearing again after being previously criticised for their less-than-impressive practices.
Brace yourself, members–you might find a business you frequently deal with on this list!
Under the watchful eyes of New South Wales (NSW) Fair Trading, a company is added to the Complaints Register if, during one calendar month, it receives more than ten disgruntled customer rantings.
This year's line-up shared with CHOICE, the consumer advocacy group, might surprise you–three out of five businesses had already received the disreputable Shonky Award in the past, spotlighting the shoddy products and services that fall short of expectations.
‘Releasing these complaints empowers everyone to create a fairer marketplace. Many of these complaints could be avoided if businesses resolved disputes more efficiently with their customers when things go wrong,’ Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said.
So without further ado, let's delve into the rundown of complaints.
The global tech giant Samsung is topping the chart with a whopping 416 complaints.
Complaints ranged from questionable product quality to worrisome warranty claims and refund issues.
CHOICE crowned Samsung with a Shonky Award back in 2017 for a combo washer and dryer that fell remarkably short of the mark despite its grand price tag of over $3000.
Following behind Samsung is the water filtration company Tru Water, which managed to amass 321 complaints–an impressive feat for a company publicly forewarned by NSW Fair Trading in late 2022.
Tru Water has various issues ranging from delayed and incomplete orders and unsolicited product substitutions to misrepresented goods on its website.
Aussie ticketing company, Ticketek, garnered the third-highest number of complaints, with a tally of 281.
The complaints they received this year are about ticket cancellations and the supply of tickets. Add that to the credit card surcharges and service/delivery fees. It’s no wonder why their customers are unhappy.
Coming in hot on their heels is the now-defunct Injectable Institute Australia, which continued to accumulate 168 complaints even post-liquidation, landing themselves in the fourth position.
And wrapping up the top five is the native airline, Qantas, with 160 complaints to Fair Trading, primarily concerning flight credits, refund issues and cancellations. Call wait times for their customer service were also mentioned in the complaints.
Though these reports originated from NSW, CHOICE emphasised that 'the reach of these businesses is not confined to NSW'.
So, even if you’re out on Bondi Beach or relaxing in Perth, you might also find these complaints to be all too familiar.
Fair Trading Commissioner Mann asserts that the open airing of complaints data 'empowers everyone to create a fairer marketplace'.
‘Many of these complaints could be avoided if businesses resolved disputes more efficiently with their customers when things go wrong,’ she added.
In response, Samsung Australia attested to its awareness of the Complaints Register and emphasised that 'the resolution of consumers’ grievances' was a priority.
‘At Samsung, innovation and people are the core of what we do, and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience. We also thank each customer for their patience while we work through fulfilling their inquiries,’ the company’s spokesperson assured.
Representatives for Ticketek, Qantas, and Tru Water have yet to issue responses.
Remember: if a product or service you have purchased doesn't work as it should, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement.
Members who reside in New South Wales can complain with Fair Trading through this link. Residents of other states and territories may complain to their respective consumer agencies.
Do you agree with this list, members? Do you think this is the same for other states, or would other companies be included? Let us know in the comments below!
Brace yourself, members–you might find a business you frequently deal with on this list!
Under the watchful eyes of New South Wales (NSW) Fair Trading, a company is added to the Complaints Register if, during one calendar month, it receives more than ten disgruntled customer rantings.
This year's line-up shared with CHOICE, the consumer advocacy group, might surprise you–three out of five businesses had already received the disreputable Shonky Award in the past, spotlighting the shoddy products and services that fall short of expectations.
‘Releasing these complaints empowers everyone to create a fairer marketplace. Many of these complaints could be avoided if businesses resolved disputes more efficiently with their customers when things go wrong,’ Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said.
NSW Fair Trading revealed the top five companies their residents have complained about. Credit: MR SOCCER/Shutterstock
So without further ado, let's delve into the rundown of complaints.
The global tech giant Samsung is topping the chart with a whopping 416 complaints.
Complaints ranged from questionable product quality to worrisome warranty claims and refund issues.
CHOICE crowned Samsung with a Shonky Award back in 2017 for a combo washer and dryer that fell remarkably short of the mark despite its grand price tag of over $3000.
Samsung received the most complaints in 2023. Credit: Grand Warszawski/Shutterstock
Following behind Samsung is the water filtration company Tru Water, which managed to amass 321 complaints–an impressive feat for a company publicly forewarned by NSW Fair Trading in late 2022.
Tru Water has various issues ranging from delayed and incomplete orders and unsolicited product substitutions to misrepresented goods on its website.
Aussie ticketing company, Ticketek, garnered the third-highest number of complaints, with a tally of 281.
The complaints they received this year are about ticket cancellations and the supply of tickets. Add that to the credit card surcharges and service/delivery fees. It’s no wonder why their customers are unhappy.
Coming in hot on their heels is the now-defunct Injectable Institute Australia, which continued to accumulate 168 complaints even post-liquidation, landing themselves in the fourth position.
And wrapping up the top five is the native airline, Qantas, with 160 complaints to Fair Trading, primarily concerning flight credits, refund issues and cancellations. Call wait times for their customer service were also mentioned in the complaints.
Though these reports originated from NSW, CHOICE emphasised that 'the reach of these businesses is not confined to NSW'.
So, even if you’re out on Bondi Beach or relaxing in Perth, you might also find these complaints to be all too familiar.
Fair Trading Commissioner Mann asserts that the open airing of complaints data 'empowers everyone to create a fairer marketplace'.
‘Many of these complaints could be avoided if businesses resolved disputes more efficiently with their customers when things go wrong,’ she added.
In response, Samsung Australia attested to its awareness of the Complaints Register and emphasised that 'the resolution of consumers’ grievances' was a priority.
‘At Samsung, innovation and people are the core of what we do, and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience. We also thank each customer for their patience while we work through fulfilling their inquiries,’ the company’s spokesperson assured.
Representatives for Ticketek, Qantas, and Tru Water have yet to issue responses.
Remember: if a product or service you have purchased doesn't work as it should, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement.
Members who reside in New South Wales can complain with Fair Trading through this link. Residents of other states and territories may complain to their respective consumer agencies.
Do you agree with this list, members? Do you think this is the same for other states, or would other companies be included? Let us know in the comments below!
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