Samsung Note 7 owners are being encouraged by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment's Consumer Protection team to become familiar with the Consumer Guarantees Act

'When a business supplies you with a product for personal or household use and there's a problem with it, you have the right to ask them to fix the problem under the CGA,” says Consumer Protection Manager Mark Hollingsworth.

'If the problem is serious you can take the product back and ask to choose a replacement of the same type and similar value, or ask for a full refund of the amount you purchased it for. A product that is unsafe is an example of a serious problem.”

'Your first point of call should be with the retailer who sold you the product,” says Mark.

The high-profile nature of the Samsung recall has served as a timely reminder that consumers should be familiar with their rights and businesses' obligations when making a purchase and if things go wrong.

'Every situation and product is different, but the retailer should be able to assess whether it can be fixed, or is serious and cannot be fixed. They should then be able to let you know what your options are, for instance receiving a replacement product or a refund. Knowing your consumer rights and what a business is obliged to do under the CGA can make things easier for everyone.”

In the case of the Note7 phone, Samsung is offering consumers the option of a replacement phone, or a refund.

'If you have a Samsung Galaxy Note7, we encourage you to get in touch with the place where you purchased the phone to take advantage of these options,” says Mark.

More information on Consumer's Rights and the CGA is available on the Consumer Protection website. https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz