Car rental platform fined $39,600 over misleading pricing representation
EconomyBookings, an international car rental booking platform, has been fined $39,600 for misleading pricing representation on its website.
The penalty comes after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that the site failed to prominently display the total price for car rental services as a single figure and made a misleading representation about whether a pre-selected optional extra was included in the rental price.
Pre-selected optional extras included “last minute cancellation”, “roadside assistance” and “full coverage” for insurance.
In one example, the initial car price displayed was $147.10, but the actual total price, which includes the pre-selected extra options, was $315.04.
In another case, the platform showed a pre-selected optional extra in its online booking process for a car rental under a heading “Your car rental includes” next to a price that did not include the price for that optional extra.
According to the regulator, the conduct was a breach of the Australian Consumer Law.
“Businesses must prominently display the total price of goods and services as a single figure, inclusive of selected optional extras,” said ACCC Commissioner Luke Woodward.
“All businesses, including online providers, should ensure that their pricing displays do not mislead consumers, or they may face enforcement action by the ACCC,” Woodward added.
EconomyBookings is the operating name of SIA Booking Group Corporation, which has its headquarters in Riga, Latvia.
Further reading: HelloFresh, Youfoodz to face court over misleading subscription plans
Comment Manually
You must be logged in to post a comment.
No comments