Over one million dollars’ worth of complaints reported during the festive season has been recorded by the Consumer Council.
Council chief executive, Premila Kumar says these complaints were registered during the Christmas, New Year and Back to School season.
Premila Kumar says between November last year and 31 January last month, the Council received a total of 771 complaints amounting to 257 complaints per month.
She says a total of 763 complaints, including pending cases from the previous quarter, were resolved through mediation – representing a total monetary value of over $1.4 million.
The Council also received 763 calls through the National Consumer Helpline from disgruntled consumers during that same period either to lodge complaints or seek advice.
The Chief Executive says 664 consumers sort advice from the council for either face to face, email, through toll-free number, social media via the Council’s mobile units.
The top 10 complaints registered were in the areas of landlord and tenancy, electronic goods (home), food & drinks, construction services, advertisements and promotions, hardware, motor vehicle (second-hand), internet services and insurance.
Kumar adds consumers also raised concerns regarding misleading advertisements as traders were found charging different prices compared to what was advertised.
