Ultrasound business offers $5 refund

A South West business accused of selling duplicate ultrasound photographs has offered complaining mothers a refund of $5 per picture on the condition they waive their right to take legal action.

There have been 72 complaints from people who allege they received duplicate ultrasound pictures from a South West business offering non-diagnostic and non-medical prenatal scans.

Many of the women allege they bought ultrasound photographs that could be found online and matched the same photographs bought by other mothers.

WA Consumer Protection is investigating if the business breached consumer laws.

“As part of our conciliation process on the ultrasound complaints, we presented to complainants an offer from the trader for a refund of $5 per photo on the condition that they take no further action, ” a Consumer Protection spokesman said.

“Only two of the 72 complainants accepted the offer.

“We advised the other complainants that they will need to take the matter to the Magistrates Court as a civil matter if they want to pursue the issue further.”

The deal compares with the price of services offered by business, which according to its website ranges from $117 for a “gender scan” to $397 for a package that includes two ultrasound sessions, two discs of still images, and a pampering session.

However, it is unclear how many women will be able to take up legal action.

Bunbury mother Charlotte Shilcof, who set-up a “victim’s only” Facebook page, said the women have already been told they could not launch a class action against the business.

Last year she went to the business for ultrasounds of her baby girl Ava, after a recommendation from her sister-in-law.

Ms Shilcof has been offered a $50 refund but had paid $297 for 10 printed photographs, a disc with more pictures and a DVD of the ultrasound screening.

She said many of the mothers had “laughed” at the offer but some were considering the deal.

“The general consensus (to the offer) was ‘what a joke’, ” she said.

A spokeswoman for the business said she could not comment while the investigation was being held.