CONSUMERS, BE VIGILANT!

Well the season is fast approaching during which consumers shop for new household items, gifts and food. And the island’s consumer protection agency the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) wishes to use this opportunity to remind consumers to be vigilant when making purchases especially at this time.

KNOW WHERE TO SHOP
After all, would you take your car to a dressmaker for repairs, or your sick child to a mechanic? So why buy a freezer from a shoe store or a stove from a supermarket?

One Complaint to the Commission’s office, which clearly demonstrates this, is from a complainant who purchased a freezer from a shoe store. The freezer broke down shortly after purchase and many attempts were made by the vendor to repair it. On one such attempt, an air condition unit was installed at the back of the freezer and iron gadgets to the base.

So choose wisely where you shop. Shop at reputable dealers whose policies protect you the consumer e.g. stores that service and repairs the items they sell; and ensure stores in which you are able to access redress if something goes wrong.

KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK

What is the warranty offered on the item?
What does it cover?
What is the store’s policy regarding exchange, repair or refund?

A typical example of what is likely to happen if you do not ask these questions is a complainant who purchased a refrigerator for $68,000 and received no warranty. When the refrigerator malfunctioned, the vendor made it clear that he was not obligated to make the repair as no warranty was given and that he was doing her - a favour by sending the technician.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Find out all you can about the product you want to buy before you go shopping. Do this by asking friends, co-workers, relatives and others about their experience with a particular brand or product.

If you don’t do your research you will find that a good sales person may talk you into buying a $200,000 television when another, at a cost of $25,000 would have been best for your needs and pocket.

PUT IT IN WRITING
Do not take the vendor’s word for it. Instead get all agreements in writing. If they do not have this done up already then ask them to write it on the back of your receipt.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING

Not every Bargain is a Bargain! So BEWARE of vendors who offer discounts on condition that you get no warranty or those that say, “pay no GCT and you won’t get a receipt.”

No warranty means you will have to pay for all repairs if something goes wrong, No receipt means you have no proof of purchase.

HIDDEN CONTRACTUAL TERMS
Take for instance, the consumer who purchases an item on layaway with the understanding that they have a set time within which to complete payments. They make all the payments on time and are then informed at the end of the period that they have to pay an additional cost due to the fluctuation of the Jamaican currency.

A consumer who takes the time to understand the agreement whether by reading the contractual terms and understanding or by asking a more knowledgeable person to explain is least likely to find him/herself entrapped by unfair contractual terms.

Shop wisely, ask the right questions, and ensure you get a receipt that clearly states the type of warranty.

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