Dion Jeffers

tunapunayouthleague@hotmail.com

We have the power

No cash refund. No exchange after seven days. How many times have we gone into a store and bought an item then decide that we don’t want it for one reason or another but are intimidated by these signs? What do we do then?

Although these signs are visible, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, consumer affairs division, indicates that these signs are against the law and that consumers do, in fact, have a right to return items for specific reasons. The main reason is that the said item does not meet expectations in that it does not carry out the function in the manner that it should.

There are also instances where items that are advertised are bought by the consumer with the belief that the item can do a specific task. For instance, there exists an array of drugs which is advertised to make you lose pounds and inches in unbelievable time periods. The truth is that such a drug does not exist.

The consumer affairs division describes this as false advertising which is an offence punishable by law.

As a consumer, one should also be aware that the only time frame which exists on an item is that which is covered under the warranty. During such time that the warranty exists, an item can be returned for the above mentioned reasons. In the instance where such warranty does not exist, a consumer can return the item during such time that he sees necessary once it is clearly determined that such grounds for return exist.

Consumers need to become aware of the following.

When a purchase is made, a bill with the proper description of the item must accompany the product. This is to safeguard the consumer in the event that the item has to be returned. One must also be aware that is against the law for products to be advertised VAT excluded.

In T&T, it is amazing to hear the amount of noise an individual makes when he feels that he is unjustly treated but ignores his potential to effectively deal with the situation to prevent its reoccurrence.

For example, everyday we complain about the service of the monopolised cable industry. Yet we do nothing about it but to say that we cannot wait for competition as in the case with the cellphone market which seemed to have hypnotised the population.

We also complain about ridiculous food prices. In this situation I am reminded of the biblical phrase which says: “out of the mouth of babes cometh wisdom.” Recently, a local snack increased from 50 cents to 75 cents and in a matter of weeks the same product had to revert to its original price. This occurred because children demonstrated their rights as consumer and chose not to purchase the product.

Even recently a brand of nutcracker increased from from $1 to $1.25, then back to $1 in mere weeks. So, too, did a locally produced brand of biscuit.

Just before the close of the last school term, prices on snacks increased—corn curls to cheese sticks to biscuit—by as much as 50 per cent. The increased cost was blamed on the increase in packaging costs. But having visited a few shops and parlours recently, I found that these goods were collecting dusts on the shelves.

Our children are leading by example. Why can’t we follow suit?

A typical example of the power of the consumer was demonstrated in the United States where beef was increased by one cent. The public demonstration that followed saw tonnes of rotted beef being dumped and distributors resorting to the original price.

Another case in Canada saw thousands of cable boxes being returned as the cable company had instituted a small increase in cable. The end result saw consumers coming out victorious.

Why can’t we (the adults that is) adopt this same approach? Why can’t we stand up as consumers and demand that we are not affected by unfair pricing arrangements?

Going into the groceries now is a nightmare when comparing prices to just a few months ago.

Mr Consumer, you have the power. You don’t have to wait on governments to step in. We have the power to effect change. We have the power to make the difference. Every time that an item is increased do not act powerless. We have a choice. We have the power. Without us, these conglomerates cannot survive.

Life is all about sacrifice. So what if we have to disconnect our cable for a few months? So what if we have to drink bush tea for a few weeks? In the end we will all profit from the long-term results of our sacrifices. So what if we have to eat cassava and yam instead of rice?

Contact NIL with comments at nylcolumnguardian@yahoo.com or editorial committee, National Youth League, Balisier House, #1 Tranquillity St, Port-of-Spain

Deon Jeffers is the chairman of the PNM Youth League