July 26, 2002
OVER $3.5 MILLION IN CASH REFUNDS FOR CONSUMERS

Just six months into the year, the Consumer Affairs Commission has been successful in securing over $3.53 Million dollars in cash refunds for consumers island-wide.

Almost 50% of refunds to consumers related to automotive transactions. In many instances, consumers are unable to secure full or partial refunds on their own, when dealers breach their contracts or when incorrect parts are given.

In one particular instance, a consumer purchased a bus which malfunctioned just three weeks after purchase. The matter was reported to the vendor who replaced the vehicle but the same problem recurred. After being faced with difficulties to secure a full refund on his own, the consumer turned to the CAC for assistance. Upon the intervention of the CAC, the consumer received a full refund of $490,000.

In another case, the CAC was able to intervene on behalf of a consumer who had made full payment of $381,000 for a motor vehicle. After waiting for some time and given many promises, the motor vehicle was still not delivered to the consumer. The complainant requested a full refund but was only granted part payment. On the intervention of the CAC, the consumer received a full refund of the purchase price.

The CAC has also seen an influx of complaints against cellular companies (particularly Digicel) in recent weeks. In a little over a one-month period, the commission has received over forty complaints relating to faulty cellular phones and the unavailability of loaner phones as well as the length of time it took for phones to be repaired. Consumers also complain about having to pay a deposit in order to obtain a “loaner phone”.

The vendors themselves have however accused consumers of contributing to the need for a deposit and the unavailability of ‘loaner phones’, stating that some consumers refuse to return the ‘loaner phones’ despite the promise of a refund of their deposit when the phone is returned.

Quite frequently, consumers who have been wronged by the providers of goods and services and who are unable to settle matters on their own behalf, turn to the CAC for assistance and have been rewarded with either their money back or a replacement or repair of goods purchased.

The Consumer Affairs Commission continues to urge consumers however, to be more vigilant in the market place and to become more mindful of their consumer responsibilities.

Last fiscal year (April 2001 to March 2002), the Commission resolved 2,480 of 2,853 cases handled.