269 consumer complaints valuing $119M received in 1st half of 2021

The Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) received 269 complaints from consumers for the first half of 2021, according to newly released data. The sale of defective goods accounts for 50 per cent of the complaints received by the agency.
Between January and June 2021, the CCAC received 269 complaints valued at $119,942,369 from consumers. This reflects a 180 per cent increase when compared to the same period last year. According to data from the CCAC, 206 of these complaints valued at $55,570,437 were resolved.
The leading area of breach under the Consumer Affairs Act (CAA) of 2011 was the sale of defective goods which accounted for half of the total complaints received. In addition, complaints were received across 19 categories, the leads being in the electronics/electronic services, auto industry, and the appliance and construction industry.
For the reporting period, some 47 businesses were inspected in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, Berbice. While 12 of these businesses complied with the provisions of the Act, the remaining 35 were given one month to conform during which period the businesses will be reinspected.
The CCAC was established under the Consumer Affairs Act of 2011.
Its functions include investigating complaints by agencies and consumers and determining if there has been a contravention of the Competition and Fair-Trading Act of 2006 and the CAA; to take prescribed actions should there be a contravention of the law and eliminating anti-competitive agreements.
It is also responsible for providing information to consumers on their rights and to enable them to make informed choices; to advise the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce on matters as it relates to the CFTA and the CAA; to institute, participate in, and/or support proceedings before a court of law, including to bring prosecutions where the Commission deems fit. (G1)