CAC recovers J$26.2-M from vendors on behalf of consumers

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) secured over $26.2-million in refunds and compensation from vendors on behalf of aggrieved consumers during the 2018/19 Financial Year. The sum emanated from the Commission’s resolution of 1,489 complaint cases handled. This represents a resolution rate of 85.18%.

The top three complaint categories identified were: Electrical Equipment & Appliances with 33.33%, followed by Other Services, 14.54% and Utilities 12.85%.  These results continue to reflect a consistent trend over the last few years, with only slight changes of these categories.

The three categories which yielded the most monetary compensation were: Automotive $12.4-million; Other Services $4.3-million and Electrical Equipment & Appliances $3.6-million.

The Commission also responded to 913 requests for advice and information, 25% more than the previous period when 730 requests were facilitated.

It is against this background that Mrs. Dolsie Allen, Chief Executive Officer at the CAC, continues to urge consumers to do their due diligence by ensuring that items purchased are working before they leave the store. If this is not possible, the CEO strongly recommends that if a fault is detected, it must be immediately reported to the vendor.

Mrs. Allen is also commending consumers for the initiative being displayed as she pointed to the increased number of consumers seeking information and advice.

The CEO further noted that during the period under review, 188,437 consumers were directly sensitised about their rights and responsibilities, an increase of 45% over the last Financial Year.