Online electronic retailer Kogan.com has been fined $32,400 by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
The ACCC issued the infringement notices after false or misleading claims were made about the price of three computer monitors.
As part of a 2015 Father’s Day promotion, the retailer advertised three of the monitors on its eBay store at a 20% discount if they were purchased between 24-29 August.
However, the company increased the prices either before or at the start of the promotion, meaning consumers only received a 9% discount off the previously advertised prices.
After the promotion ended, Kogan lowered the prices of the monitors back to the original price.
“It is simply unacceptable for businesses to raise prices before applying a discount in order to give consumers the misleading impression that they are obtaining a larger percentage discount than is actually the case," ACCC acting chair Dr Michael Schaper says.
“Truth in advertising and consumer issues in the online market place are both current enforcement priorities.”
Kogan has not commented on the fine, but was quick to comment following the recent Dick Smith debacle.
Late last year the ACCC investigated Volkswagen following an emissions scandal. VW faces a $1.1m penalty.
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