PaySmart
Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…
read moreFitness First Australia has provided the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) with a court enforceable undertaking after concerns that Fitness First's 'Gold Coin to Join' promotion did not comply with the all inclusive pricing provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
Fitness First's promotional flyers indicated the joining fee was a 'gold coin' and specified an administration fee payable on joining but failed to specify, in a prominent way and as a single figure, the single total price for the membership.
Section 53C of the Act requires that corporations must prominently specify a single price for their goods or services, including all taxes, duties, fees and other mandatory charges that are quantifiable at the time of making the representation. Where services are supplied under a contract that has periodic payments, such as gym memberships, corporations are able to specify the periodic component of the single price more prominently than the single price over the life of the contract.
During January and February 2010 Fitness First displayed posters at its clubs advertising its âGold Coin to Joinâ promotion. The ACCC considered that these posters did not comply with the law as they failed to state a total single price.
As part of the undertaking Fitness First has agreed to continue its FFit program for teenagers for six months until 30th November 2010 at an estimated cost of $225,000. FFit is a Fitness First initiative to address the obesity issue among school aged children.
Fitness First has also undertaken to publish a corrective notice on its website and in its Fitness First magazine, and will implement a trade practices law compliance program.
The ACCC has conducted a significant education program across various industries to explain the single price requirements.
ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel explained "the component pricing laws have been in place for more than 12 months, businesses that do not comply with the requirement to prominently specify a single price for their goods or services risk enforcement action being taken against them by the ACCC."
For companies that do not comply with this requirement, the ACCC may take court action and seek civil penalties or issue an infringement notice.
Consumer Law gives the ACCC the ability to issue infringement notices in cases involving unconscionable conduct, some false or misleading conduct, pyramid selling and various product safety provisions. Penalties under Infringement notice provisions for false or misleading conduct are $6,600 for corporations and $1,320 for individuals.
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…
read moreA leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…
read moreSwitch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…
read moreContact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375
read moreiDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…
read moreSummit Fitness Equipment is now part of NovoFit - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/novofit/
read moreYellowbox is an Australian technology company that has developed smart locker technology operated through an app with a focus on experience for users and facility managers. Found at Beaches, Aquatic…
read moreAs of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as Vivaticket Pty Ltd. Vivaticket is the ideal strategic partner for the organisation and management of your…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!