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Consumer
Action Newsletter - August 2006
Consumer Council
of Zimbabwe
September 08, 2006
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CCZ handles 432 consumer
complaints … and recovers $1 million (re-valued) for consumers
The Consumer Council
of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has handled more than 432 complaints in the six
months from January 2006 to June 2006. This compares to the 266
complaints filed during the same period last year, reflecting a
62.4% increase in the number of consumers coming to complain at
CCZ Offices.
Of the complaints resolved, 190
complaints were Walk-In Complaints valued at more than $1,3billion
(old value). CCZ has managed to recover $795 436 914.00 (old value)
from the $1 394 072 520 (old value), reflecting a recovery rate
of 57.1%. The figure could be higher as some of the cases are still
pending. The complaints recovery rates remain above average, a clear
indication of the effectiveness of the CCZ Complaints Resolution
mechanisms.
The highest number of complaints
were recorded in the Contracts Category a category which includes
items such as unfulfilled agreements, unfair contracts, lay-byes,
selling contracts, loans among others. In that category problems
with Selling Contracts recorded the highest complaints, fol lowed
by Lay-Byes and Disclaimer Clauses respectively. The second highest
category with complaints was recorded in the Shoddy Goods and Services
Category, where problems with electrical goods were the highest
mainly in Harare, followed by Local Authorities, Clothing and Utilities.
Of great concern was the high number of complaints on Conditional
Selling and this was mostly in Mutare. Consumers are urged to be
cautious and to critically assess contracts before committing themselves
to them. They can alternatively seek advice from our offices or
contact us to be referred to experts who can assist them.
Consumers should check for
the following before making a purchase:
- Faults
- guarantee and warranty
periods, when purchasing products like electricals and furniture.
- Sell-by dates.
Some manufacturers and retailers
have been selling substandard and shoddy goods and services taking
advantage of the current economic conditions.
CCZ will still be happier
if more consumers contacted our offices for complaints resolution.
An effective consumer is always proactive and does not compromise
a fairdeal on the marketplace. It is the right of consumers
to be heard and to get redress.
Visit the Consumer
Council of Zimbabwe fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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