Question: I need to return a defective item and the stores are closed, what do I do?

Answer passage (source: Australia):
page_title: COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
section_headers: Business closures
A business that has possession of my item as collateral for a cash loan has temporarily closed.
section_content: 
If a business has possession of your item as collateral for a cash loan, you should first check the terms and conditions of your contract.
If a business has possession of your item as collateral for a cash loan and you have not yet repaid the loan, you are generally not entitled to have the item returned until you make all repayments according to the terms and conditions of the loan.
If you have repaid your loan, the ACCC expects you will not be required to continue paying interest on the loan while it is in the business’s possession and they are temporarily closed. The ACCC also expects the business will use reasonable endeavours to return the item to you. This could include providing a way for you to collect the item in person, or delivering the item to you where appropriate.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
The question was not about businesses having a possession of yours.
This talks about businesses and loans.  The question is about returning a defective item to a store that is closed.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad

Answer passage (source: Australia):
page_title: COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
section_headers: Business closures
A business that has possession of my item for repair or alteration has temporarily closed.
section_content: 
If a business has possession of your item for repair or alteration, you should first check the terms and conditions of your contract with the service provider to see when you are entitled to get the item back.
You may also have rights under the Australian Consumer Law. The consumer guarantees provide that services such as repairs and alterations must be delivered in a reasonable time when there is no agreed end date.
If the service has not yet been provided by the business and is unlikely to be delivered in a reasonable time, you may be entitled to cancel the contract, have any money already paid refunded to you, and the item returned — although this position will be different if the business is prevented from supplying services as a direct result of Government restrictions.
If the service has been already been provided by the business, you may be required to complete payment of any unpaid amounts before being entitled to get the item back.
The ACCC expects that, given the exceptional circumstances, once you have fully paid for the service, the business should make reasonable endeavours to return your item to you, even if its physical stores are temporarily closed. This could include providing a way for you to collect the item in person, or delivering the item to you where appropriate.
You should contact the business directly to discuss options for the return of your item.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also have rights under common law, contract or state bailment legislation.
State and territory consumer protection agencies may be able to assist with guidance involving relevant state legislation. Consumers may also wish to seek independent legal advice about whether they may have a remedy under common law, contract or state legislation.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
It mentions a lot of different scenarios except for the one that was asked about.
This is a good answer.  It gives a lot of information on what to do when you need to return a defective item.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Excellent

Answer passage (source: Australia):
page_title: COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers
section_headers: Business closures
I have a faulty product but the business’s physical stores are temporarily closed.
section_content: 
Under the Australian Consumer Law, you are entitled to a remedy if your product fails to meet a consumer guarantee. These consumer guarantee rights continue to apply even where a business’s physical stores are temporarily closed.
If you have purchased a faulty product, you may be entitled to a repair, replacement or refund. The remedy you’re entitled to will depend on whether you have a major or minor problem with a product.
You are not entitled to a consumer guarantee remedy if you have simply changed your mind, found it cheaper somewhere else, decided you did not like the purchase, or had no use for it.
In most cases, you can choose to seek a remedy from the retailer you purchased it from, or directly from the manufacturer.
You are generally responsible for returning the product if it can be posted or easily returned.
However, where a product is too large, too heavy or too difficult to remove, the business is responsible for paying the shipping costs or collecting the product within a reasonable time of being notified of the problem.
You should contact the retailer or manufacturer directly to discuss the options available to return your faulty product, and to obtain a repair, replacement or refund.
Given the exceptional circumstances, the ACCC encourages businesses to implement appropriate mechanisms to assist consumers seeking to return faulty products.
Please see our guidance for further information on repairs, replacements and refunds.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
It answered the question in the first bullet point. It included multiple pieces of advice just in case.
There is a decent amount of information on returning a defective item here, but it is not the focus of the answer.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable