Press Releases 2017

01/05/2017 16:28:11 Pathetic After Sales Service: Consumer Waits Two Years to Get the Item Repaired

There are businesses that are not customer oriented in the sense that they are not satisfying the customer by meeting their needs through effective after sales service. Complaints related to electronic goods tops the list of complaints received by the Council. Unfortunately most complaints are centered on the after sales service. Consumers don’t understand the importance of after sales service at the time of purchase.

28/04/2017 14:43:14 Timber Cheaters

The Consumer Council of Fiji is once again appealing to consumers to pay attention to details when purchasing and receiving items, particularly when dealing with timber.

27/04/2017 16:29:31 Consumer Council Hosts Tongan Delegation

In continuing efforts to promote networking in consumer protection at a regional level, the Consumer Council is hosting a three member delegation from Tonga for a week to understudy the work of the Council and to take part in hands-on training sessions.

18/04/2017 13:49:14 Seminar to examine Health Insurance Sector

The Consumer Council of Fiji will host a seminar on Health Insurance on Wednesday, 19th April, 2017 beginning at 9am at the Attorney General’s Conference Room in Suva. The Seminar will be officiated by the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Mr. Philip Davies.

13/04/2017 16:30:04 Be Vigilant of Deceptive Sales Tricks

This long weekend consumers must check the price of items placed by the supermarkets on the pretext of “Specials”. The call comes in light of grievances raised by concerned consumers recently regarding a renowned supermarket selling the Jason’s 20g Bongo, Peanut Ruffs and Peanut Ruffs Spicy for $0.35 each (shelf price) while on the label marked “specials” 3x 20g packets would cost $1.10.

13/04/2017 16:22:07 World Consumer Rights Day 2017

The Consumer Council of Fiji will be celebrating the World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) on 15th March 2017. This year’s theme for WCRD is “Building a Digital World Consumers Can Trust” and the Council’s issue for discussion at the event is “Online Security”.

13/04/2017 16:10:07 Worldwide Consumer Movement Call For Better Digital World

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry has evolved greatly over the last half century and has become an increasingly large part of household budgets. Over the past several years, experts and policymakers around the globe have expressed increasing concerns about protecting ICT systems. Cyberspace today is part of the daily life of people, industry, educational institutions and governments all over the world

13/04/2017 16:07:03 “Undelivered Valentine Flowers”

The Consumer Council of Fiji is issuing a warning to all customers of Grace Florist in Damodar City to check that flowers that was paid for and supposed to be delivered on Valentine’s Day were actually delivered as agreed.

13/04/2017 16:04:32 ‘Call for Consumer Justice by Sky Pacific Customers’

The Consumer Council of Fiji is very disappointed with Digicel’s Sky Pacific for using its monopoly position in pay TV services to continuously victimise its customers who clear their bills on time.

13/04/2017 16:01:56 Costs of Kidney Dialysis

Over the years, Consumer Council has been receiving complaints and concerns from kidney dialysis patients in regards to the high cost of treatment provided to them.

13/04/2017 15:46:01 Council Welcomes Rent Freeze Order Extension

The State’s decision to extend Rent Freeze Order on residential property for another year (ending on 31 December 2017) is indeed good news for the tenants in Fiji.

13/04/2017 15:42:51 Focus on Quality and Not Loud Music

The Council refutes the Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Satish Kumar’s claim that: “As a businessman, I would say that most of my customers get attracted to music and that is one way we get them to shops with us…” Using sound system to do sales and get customers is not only an unethical way of doing business but also illegal.

13/04/2017 15:38:48 Exclusionary Notices Still a Concern

The Consumer Council of Fiji is concerned that some traders continue to defy the laws by displaying signs and receipt notices which read “No Refund or Exchange”.

13/04/2017 15:35:30 Be Aware of Counterfeit Products

The Consumer Council of Fiji is reminding consumers to be aware of counterfeit products. This is especially during such times when consumers are engrossed in shopping for their children attending schools and universities. We believe that there are many parents who would be shopping for their children attending universities from later this month and next month.

13/04/2017 15:31:18 Be Alert During Back to School Shopping

The Consumer Council of Fiji is urging parents and students to be vigilant when doing back to school shopping.

13/04/2017 15:25:21 Do Not Punish Customer Loyalty

Do Not Punish Customer Loyalty The Council notes the statement by Carpenters Finance in the Fiji Times dated 3rd January 2017 and wishes to respond to the same. The Council reiterates that the decision to implement this unfair fee should be recalled completely, as it will punish the loyalty of about 11,000 Money LINK customers.

13/04/2017 15:02:35 Back to School Shopping

Back to School Shopping Shopping for “Back to School” does not have to be such a financial burden. Instead of thinking of buying expensive school supplies for your children, get smart. A child with a simple backpack or non-branded stationeries can still do well in school. What is the best strategy for back to school shopping? Get organized, stock up on the basics, and look for sales and promotions.

13/04/2017 14:54:55 Are American Diamonds for Real?

The Consumer Council of Fiji is calling on jewelry retailers to be ethical and advise their customers on the different terminologies that is associated with any particular jewelry. The Council has found there are retailers who are selling Cubic Zirconia (CZ) as ‘American Diamond’. They are also advertising CZ as American Diamond.