Know your consumer rights, demand value – CCAC to holiday shoppers

With the Christmas season around the corner, and the heightened shopping period approaching, the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) on Monday remind consumers to ensure that they receive value for money by being vigilant and asserting their consumer rights in keeping with the Consumer Affairs Act (CAA) No. 13 of 2011.
According to CCAC, suppliers too must be reminded to be compliant and adhere to the law.
From the CCAC’s perspective, it is anticipated that during the festive season, there will be a spike in consumer complaints at the Commission, especially in relation to the purchase of electrical and electronic appliances.
One of the pieces of advice for customers, that the CCAC offered is to make a list and research products/services and suppliers before making their final purchase.
“It is advised that consumers make a list and research products/services and suppliers before deciding on the final purchase. All contracts/agreements should be thoroughly read and understood before signing,” a release from the body on Monday urged.
Another major reminder is that consumers should request receipts—a policy highly emphasised by the CCAC.
This, it said serves as sufficient proof of purchase to facilitate a return, refund, or exchange, adding that all items should be inspected before final purchase, and written warranties of no less than 6 months should be requested.
The return of non-defective goods should be done within seven days of purchase, and the goods should be in their original packaging, unused, and not tampered with. In this instance, a supplier can charge up to a 10 per cent restocking fee in keeping with the law.
Meanwhile, the CCAC also strongly urged that suppliers should refrain from displaying “No Refund” signs or refusing to offer refunds, returns, or exchanges, as guided by the conditions under the Consumer Affairs Act.
Consumers can easily file complaints online at ccac.gov.gy.
Consumers are encouraged to call the CCAC at 219-4410/3 or WhatsApp at 625-0557 for inquiries.
Increased market surveillance
Less than two weeks ago, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) said that it has increased market surveillance to protect consumers.
This increase in surveillance was highlighted by Head of Corporate Communications at GNBS Lloyd David during an interview with the Guyana Times.
Lloyd reveled that the bureau fully acknowledges the increase of trade and business during this time of the year. As such he noted that the Bureau will be closely monitoring products on the market throughout this period.
He added that throughout the Christmas season the bureau will closely monitor several high demand products such as electrical appliances and toys among others.