…CCAC says return of defective goods ranks highest in categories of complaints
The 2021 mid-year review of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) revealed that the Commission received 269 complaints to the aggregate value of $119,941,369 for the period January to June 2021.
The commission has successfully secured redress for 77% of the complaints to the value of $57,570,437. The other 22% is ongoing. Complaints received reflect a significant 180% increase when compared to the same period in 2020.
The increase can be attributed to the resumption of consumer spending on durable goods, which had declined significantly during the corresponding period in 2020 due to the initial restrictive protocols associated with the COVID 119 pandemic.
The return of defective goods continues to be the number one area of contravention reported to the Commission, accounting for more than 50% of the complaints received. An analysis of the categories of complaints highlighted the electronics and electronic services industry as the lead in areas of complaints. More than 50% of the complaints received were in this category.
The auto, appliance and construction and building industries also reflect in the upper categories of consumer complaints to the Commission. Business inspections continue to be an integral part of the Commission’s mission to verify businesses’ conformity with Part IV of the Consumer Affairs Act, “Duties of Suppliers”.
Of the forty- seven businesses inspected in the Georgetown and New Amsterdam areas, only 12 were compliant with the Consumer Affairs Act. The 35 non-compliant businesses were made aware of their infractions and given to month to correct their non-conformity. The CCAC an Agency of the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce has as its mandate the administering and enforcement of the Consumer Affairs and Competition and Fair -Trading Acts. The Commission encourages consumers to file complaints with the Commission via its website ccac.gov.gy, or telephone numbers (592) 219- 4410-3.
