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.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the know-how to choose the best diamond in town. Sadly, not all the diamond-stores have the expertise to guide the consumers on the quality or type of diamond they are selling.

Be it any occasion, right from window-shopping to identifying to choosing and paying for that piece of jewellery you have spotted is an art; don’t rely on your eyes – go beyond what you see and find out more on what you are buying and is it worth the money you are paying.

Most of you may have received an email from a member of a Nigerian family with wealth. It is a desperate cry for help in getting a very large sum of money out of the country. A common variation is a woman in Africa who claimed that her husband had died, and that she wanted […]

We all value safety and security when it comes to our money, our property and our name. A situation where some imposter steals your bank account details, your property details and your very name to siphon your money may be unimaginable, but is a very serious one that can result in huge personal losses. This […]

George and Melina, newly and happily married, just moved into their own flat in Samabula. The couple had so much to do – an enthusiastic Melina couldn’t wait to decorate her  lounge and kitchen. Her mum had gifted her some domestic electrical appliances  but what she really needed was a fridge, a washing machine and […]

The Council is advising the consumers to scrutinize and compare the set of fees/charges imposed by the major commercial banks offering online banking services.