Consumer Affairs encourages smart back-to-school shopping

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is encouraging Jamaicans to exercise due diligence when purchasing back-to-school items.

Speaking on the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Television programme, ‘Get the Facts’, CAC Communications Specialist, Dorothy Campbell, said during the back-to-school period, the agency receives complaints relating to the quality of shoes and uniforms as well as the misrepresentation of sales conditions.

“We get those usually about some time closer to November. Persons will realise that books they may have purchased [are the] wrong titles, or they may have purchased uniforms of which the quality of the fabric or the colour is different from the description given by the schools. So, we have to educate consumers about making sure that they do some checks to ensure that they have the right design, right fabric, right shade, colours, and so on,” she informed.

Campbell also addressed the issue of ‘no refunds’ and ‘no exchange’ signs displayed in stores, noting that consumers have the right to request a refund or exchange of any item.

“The store owner can put any sign he wants on his property. However, if defective goods, substandard goods or something that is not fit for purpose is sold to a consumer, the rights of the consumer under the Consumer Protection Act trump any sign that the store owner may post on his walls. So, it’s either you have to repair the item, replace the item, or refund the consumer,” she stated.

Campbell emphasised, however, that if the matter is deemed trivial, the store owner may refuse to exchange a product.

“For instance, if you bought something and you simply didn’t like the shade… it’s a wrong grey, it’s a wrong blue… they can do that out of the goodness of their heart. They’re not obligated under law to exchange or refund for trivial things like you changing your mind,” she explained.

“The fact that the uniform didn’t fit… it is your responsibility to do the proper due diligence prior to purchase. So, it may behove the consumer to speak with the store owner or the manager in a very respectful, calm manner in order to ensure that you get something in your favour, because they’re not obligated by law, if it doesn’t fit, to exchange it,” Campbell added.

The CAC is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. It is responsible for enforcing the Consumer Protection Act and promoting ethical conduct between vendors and consumers in the marketplace.

For further information, persons may visit the CAC’s website at cac.gov.jm, download the CAC Jamaica mobile app, follow the agency on Facebook, Instagram and X, call 876-619-4222, or email info@cac.gov.jm.

- JIS

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