Consumers must know their buying rights

WITH fraud on the increase and businesses focusing on the bottom line – profit – consumers need to be more savvy than ever.

Whether we buy medical aid, car or house insurance, foodstuffs from a grocery store or holiday accommodation, we need to know our rights as consumers.

We must arm ourselves with the knowledge that will allow us to fight for our rights when we are wronged, but also to be more vigilant from the outset to prevent being taken for a ride in the first place.

In an article that appeared on the business page of Monday’s Zululand Observer, specific mention was made of a shop that, during an inspection by MEC Zikalala in Hluhluwe and surrounding areas, was found to be selling baby food that expired in 2015.

Whether the culprit was a ‘spaza’ shop in a deep rural area or a franchised chain, the same rules apply to all, and the Consumer Protection Act protects every consumer in the same way.

There is an Ombudsman for almost every industry.

The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial public official responsible for investigating public complaints.

Consumers must arm themselves with the contact details of each Ombudsman – listed below – to ensure a fair outcome when retail outlets or industries don’t abide by the rules.

But there are steps consumers can – and should – take to prevent being wronged in the first place.

Taking the expired baby food example, it is important for consumers to check expiry dates on products before buying them - especially dairy and meat products.

The sad reality is that consumers should never assume that retailers or any industry players for that matter, have their best interests at heart.

While we should not tar all players with the same brush, there are far too many unscrupulous business people out there looking to take advantage of the vulnerable.

When it comes to insurance policies, consumers should never let themselves be pushed into taking one out.

Take time to research the product and the company in question before parting with your money.

Finally, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.