CCPC cautions consumers ahead of festive season

CCPC Public Relations Officer Hanford Chaaba

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has cautioned consumers in the country against falling victim to buying substandard and defective products as the festive season mood heightens.

CCPC Public Relations Officer Hanford Chaaba says it is during this period that unsuspecting consumers are duped into buying what seems to be affordable, only to later discover they have purchased defective products.

He says various traders are in the habit of making several clearance promotions of goods and it is easy for consumers to rush for such goods in view of the low prices at which they are sold.

Mr. Chaaba explains that since 2011 when the Commission started enforcing the Competition and Consumer Protection Act, most of the complaints received from consumers are on sale of defective products.

He says consumers therefore need to ensure that they make up their minds on the quality of products they buy especially electrical and electronic goods.

Mr. Chaaba has reminded consumers that they have an obligation to shop around and ask the shop owner of the quality and origin of goods before making decisions and also ask for warranties, guarantees and receipts on purchased goods so that they can be protected whenever they discover defects on purchased goods.