Managing Hire Purchase

October 17, 2022

Festive season is indeed is a time for presents and wishes to come true. Whilst, not everyone gets to bump into Santa for gifts, there are special deals, discounts and giveaways available to choose from at popular stores to materialize  dreams, for instance – owning one’s favorite washing machine, fridge, TV set or gas cooker. Many families around the country often await anxiously for this time of the year to buy these items either cash or on hire purchase –the offers are so enticing that many consumers in particular, the low –income earners, wouldn’t want to miss. It sets the momentum to buy household items without having a cent in the pocket.

So if you are a consumer interested in making a hire purchase commitment- the following are a few tips to look out for when managing hire purchase payments:

  1. It is important to live within a budget, hence it is critical to plan and formalize one to assist in managing payments. This will assist consumers to determine whether their current income will be able to absorb the additional cost of monthly/weekly hire purchase repayments or exceed the income/budget
    1. Prior to purchasing an item, it is best to be well informed about its total hire purchase cost. It is advisable to be proactive and obtain hire purchase quotations from several companies to assist in comparing the amount of credit; the amount of the installment payments; the number of installment payments and the frequency of the installments
    2. It is vital to facilitate the minimum payment as stipulated in the hire purchase contract. This will ensure the account maintains a satisfactory credit rating. It will avoid arrears fees and reduce the costs associated with default in payments.
    3. If there is ability to pay more than the minimum payment amount, it will assist in reducing the higher purchase debt faster, and ensure the account has an advance payment status.
    4. Prioritizing and allocating funds towards precautionary savings will assist in mitigating the impact faced in the event of a job loss or reduction in work hours.
    5. Hire purchase insurance may assist to cover some installment payments in the event of involuntary redundancy (varies from policy to policy). Thus, it is important to carefully consider the terms and conditions of the hire purchase insurance and be familiar with the conditions and exclusions.
    6. Hire purchase insurance may assist to cover some installment payments in the event of involuntary redundancy (varies from policy to policy). Thus, it is important to carefully consider the terms and conditions of the hire purchase insurance and be familiar with the conditions and exclusions.

What to do when you are denied redress?

Contact the on toll-free number 155 or lodge a complaint using the Consumer Council of Fiji mobile app so that we can help you obtain the redress.