Parallel and grey import golf buggies in Australia: what the ACCC says before you buy

What a parallel import is

The ACCC defines a parallel import as a product brought into Australia without the manufacturer's permission. These are sometimes called grey imports. They are not illegal, and the ordinary consumer guarantees still apply to them, but they can come with practical problems, especially for a vehicle that needs parts and servicing.

How to spot one

According to the ACCC, a product may be a parallel import if the seller is not listed as an authorised seller on the manufacturer's website, the price is significantly lower than you would expect, the product is not available from any Australian sellers, or it is refurbished rather than new. Check the maker's own authorised dealer list before you pay.

Consumer guarantees and the seller

The ACCC says the seller is responsible for providing a remedy for a consumer guarantee problem with a parallel import, and cannot send you to the manufacturer. Local manufacturers are not responsible for parallel imports. That is why it matters who the seller is and where they are based.

Warranties are different

A manufacturer's warranty may not apply to a parallel import in Australia, and authorised sellers can refuse warranty work where the terms exclude them. That does not remove your statutory consumer guarantees, which operate separately. Our warranty guide explains the difference between the two.

• •Read the warranty terms before you buy.
• •Ask whether the warranty is valid in Australia.
• •Ask who will repair the buggy and where.

Overseas sellers

The ACCC notes that businesses selling directly to Australians must follow the Australian Consumer Law, but it can be difficult to get a repair, replacement or refund from an overseas business. Consumers may not be covered where a product is sent to an overseas address first and then forwarded. Be cautious with a heavy vehicle like a buggy.

Questions to ask before you pay

A local seller with a depot is easier to deal with. We list our depot at Yatala QLD 4207 (no visits; delivery only), our ABN, and our warranty terms on the site. Whoever you buy from, ask these questions in writing.

• •Is the seller an authorised dealer for this brand?
• •Who services the buggy and supplies parts in Australia?
• •Does the warranty apply in Australia, and who honours it?
• •What is the delivered price, including freight and GST?
• •Is the battery and charger compliant for Australian use?

Why parts and servicing matter more for a buggy

A walk-behind trolley is easy to ship back; a full-size buggy is not. If a controller, motor or battery fails, you need someone in Australia with the part and the know-how. Ask any seller whether spare parts are stocked locally and how long they take. Our parts guides and MGI parts and warranty guide show the sort of support you should expect.

Batteries and chargers

A lithium battery and charger are safety-critical items. Ask for the battery model, the charger model and compliance information for Australia, and read the Queensland Fire Department and ACCC guidance on lithium-ion batteries. Do not mix chargers and batteries from different sources, and be wary of unbranded equipment. Our chargers guide explains how to match them.

Price is not the same as value

A low price can be genuine, but the ACCC lists an unusually low price as one sign of a parallel import. Add freight, GST, the cost of a missing warranty and any future repairs, then compare the total with a local quote. All our prices include 10% GST, and freight is quoted against your postcode at checkout.