CMA fines firms £6 million for misleading sales tactics

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined 3 businesses £6 million for misleading sales tactics. In the last 18 months, the CMA has imposed fines of more than £12 million and secured nearly £2.4 million in refunds for customers using its new consumer protection enforcement powers. Wayfair and Appliances Direct were fined for misleading customers with time-limited offers that did not end when they said they would – and Appliances Direct for also automatically opting customers into paid-for extras. Gold’s Gym was fined for not giving the total price for memberships, including the joining fee, in a clear and timely way.

Appliances Direct and Gold’s Gym will contact affected customers about their refund. Customers do not need to take any action. All 3 parties engaged constructively with the CMA. Having admitted to breaking the law and agreeing to settle the case early with the CMA, which allows the CMA to resolve cases faster and get refunds back to consumers more quickly, all 3 businesses received a 40% reduction in their fine.