PRESS ALERT!!! 75 Consumer Complaints so far in 2014 Just two weeks into 2014 and the Consumer Council of Fiji has received a total of 75 complaints from Fijian consumers with monetary value worth $38, 267. Mobile products, landlord/tenancy issues and electronic goods make the top three complaints in the first two weeks of the New Year. Of the 75 complaints received, complaints regarding mobile products stand at 12; landlord and tenancy came in second place with 11 complaints; electronic goods (home usage) at third place with 8 complaints; clothing complaints at fourth place with 6 complaints and mobile services at fifth place with 4 complaints. As expected, these products were purchased during the festive season. In regards to landlord and tenancy issues, it is generally seen that consumers move from their rented property or enter into new tenancy agreement depending on the jobs, schools or university being planned for the New Year. Day in and day out, consumers walk into the Council office complaining about the faulty and unworkable mobile products they have spent their money on – this is a clear indication that consumers here are exposed to faulty and counterfeit products which are being dumped into the Fijian market. The Council is calling on the consumers to be more vigilant when purchasing mobile products as it continues to remain number one on its complaints list; the Council had received a total of 202 complaints regarding mobile products in 2013. Landlord and tenancy issues vary from landlords not refunding bond money, deteriorating conditions of premises, landlords not giving a month’s notice to vacate premises, tenants being locked out of premises and unfair contract terms in the tenancy agreements. This is a recurring issue with the Council and reflects the inadequacy of legislations that are in place to protect consumers. The Council is encouraging consumers to come forward to lodge their complaints. Consumer solidarity is needed and therefore consumers can keep the Council and the rest of the consumers informed on any bad business practices.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:25:46 +0000
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