SHOP WISELY, SAVE MONEY

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) hopes that our readers have been taking note and putting into practice, our various tips on budgeting, cutting cost and saving. Aware that consumers will be seeking bargains and low priced products to help save money, the CAC however cautions consumers to remain vigilant in ensuring that they get value for their hard earned money. This must be understood as being "part and parcel" of good money management and wealth creation.

Value for Money
In this regard we are alerting our readers that there are products on sale, which do not meet Jamaica's labelling requirements, while others fail to perform the task they claim to be able to perform. The implications of buying products such as those just described is that you will not get "value for money", or in other words you will be throwing your money away. One consumer complained to our office that while on their way to rural Jamaica recently, he was approached by a vendor selling CD cleaners in the bus park. He noticed that the package looked suspect, but purchased it non-the less, as it seemed authentic. Upon installation, he was surprised to find that none of the files listed on the CD (including instruction steps) were in fact there. The CD was blank. The cleaning solution had no scent, and was suspected to be pure water. The brushes on the CD came right off by simply running one's finger over them. But already he was out of pocket by $100.00.

Cannot get Redress
Upon close inspection by officers of the CAC, it was discovered that the labels on the product had no company name, address or country in which it was made. The consumer therefore had no redress from the manufacturer, and given that the vendor was informal and did not have a permanent business address, the CAC would not be able to contact the vendor, short of walking the streets of Kingston until the person is found. The consumer had thus paid $100.00 for a blank CD in fancy packaging and possibly a bottle of water.

Check the Labels
Another consumer alerted the CAC, of a vendor in the same downtown area, who attempted to sell her mixed nuts he claimed to be cashew. Upon inspection of the label, the consumer challenged the vendor that cashews had not been listed in the ingredients. The vendor insisted, thus the consumer purchased the item with a view to investigate. Sure enough, the item was found to be a combination of various baked beans and peanuts, none of which included cashew. Though the consumer has proved her point, she had however paid $50.00 for a misrepresented product. So even though the consumer's right under the Fair Competitions and other Acts had been breeched she had no recourse.

The CAC is concerned about the issue of labelling especially as it relates to consumers getting value for money. If a consumer spends money on an 8 oz bottle of shampoo, he or she should get what they paid for, 8 ounces of shampoo and no less. If a consumer purchases cashew or a CD cleaner, he or she must feel confident that they will get what they paid for.

Labelling is also very important as it relates to ensuring consumer health and safety. Manufacturers and providers of goods and services have a moral and legal responsibility to protect consumers in this way.

Despite all of these the power wielded by a well-informed consumer must never be under estimated. Watch this space next week for a listing of the labelling requirements under Jamaican Law.

Tell us what issues you want addressed

Send e-mail to: cacjam@infochan.com or star@gleaner.com

Write to us at: 1B Holborn Road, Kingston 10 Or call us at: 926-1650-2 or toll free 1-888-991-4470, ask for our Information Desk