Traders found ripping-off customers during the Christmas season can be fined up to $20,000 by the regulatory body.
The Fiji Consumer council of Fiji conducted a survey and found traders advertising their goods on specials but them charging customers higher than usual prices.
The policing body commerce commission will be on the move to find cheating traders and issue spot fines from $100 -3,000 dollars. .
If they can’t pay within 21 days, the penalty rises to a possible $20,000 or imprisonment.
Consumer Council of Fiji’s chief executive officer Premila Kumar says it’s also the trader’s responsibility to inform the customers on the prices.
“The price that is been displayed on the product or on the shelf do not match when consumers are on the check out , counters or at the cashiers there are two different prices and this is a common occurrence.”
From 1 December 2015, The Fiji Commerce Commission (FCC) is empowered to impose spot fines on traders not displaying price for non-price control items; and not issuing invoices /receipts with particulars.
