Working with other businesses

You might have a network of suppliers or other businesses that you rely on to make your business work.

Supplier failure

If your supplier is bankrupted or becomes insolvent you:

• can lose money because you have paid for goods that have not been delivered
• may need to find a new supplier.

You can protect yourself from failing businesses by using a credit card to pay for supplies. If goods don’t arrive you can ask your bank to reverse the transaction.

You can ask the supplier for an account that gives you 30 or more days to pay for goods. You can check the goods and make sure you are happy with them before you pay.

Consultants

It is illegal for consultants to include misleading or deceptive recommendations in their reports. Always get full details of the service a consultant will provide before hiring them.

When you hire a consultant:

• think about how much responsibility you will give them
• get any recommendations in writing.

Complaints about other businesses

The Office of Fair Trading receives complaints about businesses. This helps make a fair marketplace. You can lodge a complaint with us about another business if they are breaking the law.

You need to have reasonable proof and include it with your complaint.

We will not act on a malicious or inappropriate complaint.