Australia’s Harvey Norman has filed a class-action lawsuit over warranties by Reuters

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

The class action is based on claims 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 lawsuits represent consumers who purchased an extended warranty between September 17, 2018 and September 17, 2024.

“We believe that Harvey Norman consumers who have 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 had complied with “all relevant laws at all times and both intend to vigorously defend the proceedings”.

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