THE FAIR Trading Commission (FTC) and the Jamaica Bureau of Standards (JBS) have both issued advisories informing local shoppers about guidelines that should be borne in mind when shopping during the busy Christmas season.
Both agencies have stressed that consumers should make more informed decisions.
Lindel McDonald, complaints officer at the FTC, stressed that consumers should take the time out to do research on items that they plan to purchase, while merchants have the responsibility of revealing to consumers conditions that are attached to the sale of products.
"Consumers need to be more vigilant when purchasing goods because many problems that arise are closely related to consumers not having sufficient information on products they are going to buy or they don't do research on the products," explained Mr. McDonald.
"One valuable source of information on how products perform is actually from other consumers who have made similar purchases", he advised.
Mr. McDonald told JIS News that during the December 2001 to January 2002 period, his agency received 120 written complaints about defective goods and non-delivery of items. This figure reflected an increase of approximately 100 per cent in the average number of complaints received from consumers, he said.
Most of the complaints related to defective appliances such as television sets, CD players, refrigerators and computers. Consumers also complained about non-delivery of goods including motor vehicles, for which deposits have been made. They also had difficulties in getting dealers to honour warranty obligations.
Mr. McDonald has advised that consumers send a strong message to merchants who are known to sell defective merchandise by refusing to buy from them.
"Send a message to merchants who have a history of selling poor quality goods by spending your money elsewhere," he said.
Mr. McDonald also pointed to the thorny issue of 'free gifts'. He advised consumers to remember that if they have made a deposit but their credit has not been approved, then the merchant has the right to retain the deposit if the free gifts are damaged or have already been used.
The Bureau of Standards, which protects consumers' rights by ensuring the quality of imported goods and locally manufactured items, has advised consumers to take special care when purchasing items such as toys, electrical appliances, Christmas lights, paints and all goods that are bought in large quantities during the season.
Norman Hall, manager of the Bureau's information division, urges consumers to be careful when purchasing food items such as raisins, prunes and flour.
"Though we have limited budgets, we need to pay attention to labels, making sure that there are manufacture dates, expiry dates, country of origin and information on the ingredients or material used to make products," Mr. Hall said. "Be very vigilant of your rights so that your health and safety are protected."
