24 hours after the CEO of JB Hi Fi Terry Smart said that vendors did a “poor” job merchandising their 3D TV offering the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has raised concerns about the advertising of 3D and future 3D sporting coverage.
“The ACCC is on alert when it comes to representations made by retailers of new and emerging technologies like 3D television,” ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said. “It is the ACCC’s role to ensure consumers are given accurate information about the uses and capabilities of new technologies, particularly when they are usually expensive items.”
Samuel also issued a warning about future 3D TV broadcasts claiming “Consumers should be cautious when thinking about buying a 3D television because licences for television broadcasts are only currently being issued on a temporary trial basis and are limited to certain geographic areas,” he said.
He said that the ACCC considers Bing Lee’s advertisements for 3D televisions published in the lead up to the NRL Grand Final to have been misleading, however he acknowledged that the Company had taken steps to fix the problem.
Bing Lee he said had briefed its sales staff and posted notices in its stores about the limitations of the trial 3D broadcasts.
The AFL grand final replay this Saturday will not be broadcast in 3D. The NRL grand final will only be broadcast in 3D in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane and Perth, but not all residents in these areas are guaranteed an adequate signal. Consumers should contact the special 3D TV viewer hotline 1300 487 855 to check they are within the transmission area.
