As the long Easter weekend nears, our towns and cities are once again abuzz with loud music, colourful poster advertisements, grand sale stickers, discounts, give-aways, promotions and fresh deals, building on the momentum already set by, ‘Mad March’ crazy sale. Enthusiasm fills the air – as consumers look forward to the discounts. While for  traders, […]

Often consumers come across advertisements on   items being sold under ‘as is where is’ basis. But have you ever wondered what ‘as is where is’means? Does this give a red signal when you come across an item being sold under this term? Well, consumers who have purchased products under ‘as is where is’, should be […]

Part IV Use of weighing and measuring instruments is very important for effective functioning of any economy.It plays a vital role in protecting consumers from malpractice of underweight or under measured goods. All weighing and measuring instrument used for trade must be suitable for its intended purpose and be accurate. Or else, consumers will not […]

Part IV Use of measuring instruments is very important for effective functioning of any economy. It plays a vital role in protecting consumers from malpractice of underweight or under measured goods. All weighing equipment in use for trade must be suitable for its intended purpose and be accurate. Or else, consumers will not get value […]

Part II As price-conscious consumers, we aim to maximize the value of whatever products we’re buying. It is indeed hard to imagine that a bar soap or washing soda you use daily actually loses weight while lying on the shelves in supermarkets.  Not just that but tobacco as well. Well, yes, it does! There are […]

Nothing beats the feeling you get when you climb into your newly purchased car and drive it home – from adjusting the seat and mirrors to loading your favorite set of music to make your ride more enjoyable – it is an incredible experience all new car lovers crave for. However, the blissful memory can […]

There are pawnbrokers who prey on people who face tough times, and offer a pittance for pawned items. Pawnbrokers use unfair contract terms such as printing disclaimers, terms and conditions on their receipts that limit consumer’s rights to redress. For instance, one disclaimer read as:  “No responsibility is taken if the article is lost, destroyed […]

It was now almost two months that Ronal had been waiting for the settlement. In the midst of this uncertainty, Timothy decided not to buy  the car from Ronal, at all.

Be aware that Fiji’s JPs are governed by a Code of Conduct, which is found in the Handbook for Justices of the Peace compiled by the Ministry of Justice. The appointment of any JP is made subject to the Code of Conduct, which establishes acceptable standards of conduct for JPs.

Keeping consumer protection at the heart of its advocacy work, the Consumer watchdog is now embarking on setting up a Community Consumer Advisory Group (CCAG). The creation of this advisory group confirms the Council’s commitment to protect consumers residing in remote parts of Fiji, and to serve them better.

A bigger blow is when you have a hefty loan to repay. Be it personal loan, home loan or car loan repayment, when facing financial hardship, it becomes impossible to cope with the payments together with the day to day expenses.

Did you know that the rate of consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) have doubled in the country over the last decade or so (1997-2007) with intake likely highest in adolescents.?

For goods/service above $10, it is mandatory for retailers or service providers to issue receipts to consumers. If they don’t, ask for one. You also have the right to request a receipt for anything under $10. Even businesses require receipts to last long to prepare their accounts and for auditing purposes.    If these documents fade […]

The Council advices consumers to keep track of deductions made from their pay accounts for their personal loans and/or home loans. If consumers do not exercise consumer responsibility, they may end up paying more than what they are expected to- as was the case with Jonetani.

With varying gold jewellery available in the market, not every consumer is easily able to ascertain which one is the real thing. Consumers, for whom gold may not be a frequent shopping item, often rely on traders/salespersons to provide correct information.