This article is a continuation of the council’s response to Savenaca Narube’s article on “Poor carry the cost” published in The Fiji Times on 21/10/17. This article will focus on the process involved in introducing eticketing and the cost borne by poor consumers if eticketing was not the option. Submissions/consultations/reasons for the eticketing system From […]

The Consumer Council of Fiji would like to respond to the article by Savenaca Narube on “Poor carry the cost” published in the Fiji Times on 21/10/17. From his article it is very clear that Mr. Narube is ill informed and his analysis lacks depth. Prepaid Service & Interest To begin with, Mr. Narube raised […]

Majority of mechanics are good, but everyone’s heard a story or two that can make leaving your car with a mechanic a scary ordeal. Motor vehicles are a large responsibility for people as it is one of their biggest investments. All vehicles need maintenance from time to time and of course repairing when unforeseen breakdowns […]

How would you feel if despite undertaking a Health Insurance policy and paying all the required premiums, you are unable to claim it when the need arises? To make it worse, you do not have any options to take any action against the insurance provider. One would feel simply frustrated to say the least. But […]

‘Taki’, ‘mix’ and ‘baby mix’ are some common words used by kava drinkers in Fiji. Consumption of kava is seen as a mode to relax after a hard day’s work and to socialise with friends and family during social gatherings. In a recent “Kava Value Chain Analysis” conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, it was […]

Vacation is the time of the year which people tirelessly plan to ensure that their vacation takes place without any hassle. Planning in advance not only provides peace of mind, but also saves money, making it a lot easier to enjoy. Undoubtedly, Fiji is a tourist destination and with a plethora of accommodation, tourists have […]

Buying a vehicle brings a sense of pride to the owner. They know that a vehicle will make their travelling easier and ultimately fetch a good price when it is sold off. Hence, when purchasing a vehicle, consumers pay attention to factors which will ensure their vehicle is marketable in the years to come. No […]

Is it worth taking a loan that charges 30 percent interest rate? Daniel urgently required $11,000 to carry out repair works on his house. Since he was in desperate need for money, Daniel visited a financial service provider in the central division to apply for an unsecured loan. In his desperation, he did not see […]

Buying a vehicle is one of the most important financial decision a person can make in his or her life. However, consumers when purchasing vehicles, tend to overlook significant aspects of the product. The most important things which need to be considered are the physical appearance of the product, functionality, its warranty, and after-sales service. […]

Knowing how to drive and having a license is an essential requirement in people’s life. Whether it is for business or personal use this often involves seeking the services of a driving school. Without a doubt, there are numerous driving schools operating all over Fiji, some with unreasonably high teaching fees. The driving school fees […]

Nowadays, consumers prefer online shopping when it comes to purchasing goods simply because it is convenient with the click of a button. Whether you are looking for a holiday package, air tickets, pair of shoes, kitchen and home wares, clothes, specialist food items or the fairy tale bridal dress for wedding – you can buy […]

Purchasing a second-hand or used electronic good can be risky. This is due to the simple reason that the item has gone through considerable wear and tear by the previous users and the consumer may not know whether they are paying a high price for the used item. Hence, it becomes important for consumers to […]

Leisure time means family time and in order to spend quality time with loved ones, consumers tend to pick on activities which give them enjoyment. It is a fact that cinema is a common and growing form of entertainment. Fortunately, there are numerous cinema outlets in towns and cities which consumers can resort to for […]

Urban drift has caused significant pressure on residential housing in urban areas of Fiji over the years. There is an insufficient supply of houses in the market to meet the increased demand for accommodation. Consequently, housing prices have increased to such an extent that it is no longer possible for many people to purchase their […]

It is common practice for consumers to eat out in restaurants when visiting towns and cities. Every individual enjoys having a hot plate of authentic dishes ranging from Chinese, Indian or i-Taukei dish from restaurants time and again With a number of eateries open in different areas, consumers have more options available to choose from. […]