|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 21 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Beware of unscrupulous traders - CAA warns by Chanuka Mannapperuma The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) receives about 30 complaints a week from consumers. "We check the validity of the complaint and take legal action against the trader," said Director General, CAA, Kithsiri Gunawardena. He said: "We want more consumers to complain if they are facing problems at the hands of traders because this is one of the main ways through which we can take action against traders who are into illegal practices". "During the festive season, people buy everything they see as they are busy and also because they think that it is cheap, but the chances to get deceived are also more. Therefore, before making purchases, they should check on the quality, date of manufacture, expiry date and price". He said most boutique owners mislead consumers; because of this, the CAA had launched a monitoring service with 40 offices. Once a week, they check boutiques around the country on a random basis. Gunawardena said anyone found guilty is penalised. The Authority is seeking the support of consumers to make this exercise a success. The objective of the CAA is to protect consumers from errant traders. It may inquire into complaints regarding manufacture, supply, storage, transportation or sale of any goods and the supply of any services which do not conform to the stipulated standards and specifications. The manufacture or sale of any goods which do not conform to the warranty or guarantee given by implication or otherwise by the manufacturer or trader also comes under the purview of the CAA. He said prices of items such as gas, cement, milk powder, matchboxes and mosquito coil packets cannot change without the Authority's permission. Consumers too have a responsibility as they have to check the date of manufacture, guarantee card, weight, quality and quantity. It is also mandatory for traders to indicate the maximum retail price, batch number and expiry date for 34 essential items. The Authority's functions include controlling or eliminating restrictive trade agreements among enterprises, arrangements among enterprises with regard to prices, abuse of a dominant position with regard to domestic trade or economic development within the market or in a substantial part of the market or any restraint of competition adversely affecting domestic or international trade or economic development. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
