AMIDST the flurry of shopping for the holiday season, the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is reminding consumers that they are entitled to eight basic rights that they need to protect.

According to the CAC, the right to choose, be informed, be heard and the right to redress in the event that something goes wrong after purchase are all guaranteed by the Charter of Rights of the Consumer.

The CAC issued the advice against the background of its role in securing the disbursement of $32.5 million in compensation and refunds to consumers at the end of November.

Many consumers, the CAC noted, often face difficulty in getting compensation for items purchased that do not match their expectations, and are referred to the ‘no exchange, no refund’ signs posted in stores by owners.

“This action by a proprietor of having a ‘no exchange, no refund’ sign is not illegal,” communication specialist at CAC, Dorothy Campbell, told the Jamaica Observer. “However, if the right of a consumer has been breached, the ‘no refund, no exchange’ sign becomes null and void.”

She added that since the right of the consumer is a priority, it supersedes any justification the storeowners may have to post a sign.

Under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), if a consumer purchases an item based on the storeowner’s declaration and description and later discovers that the item is defective or different from the description given, the consumer may return the item to the provider and a refund on the goods can be made, once the item is in the condition in which it was purchased.

Campbell also emphasised that consumers should ensure that electronic goods are tested in the store before purchase. In addition, a written warranty and manual must be included in these purchases from any dealer. The warranty should include information on labour, time frame and electronic parts.

“When buying brand-name shoes… beware of poorly stored goods which may dry-rot, as well as non-genuine boots illegally bearing the brand insignia,” she told Sunday Finance.

According to the CAC, 1,138 complaints were handled throughout the year, 81 per cent of which were resolved by the commission. The statistics indicated that since 2010, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of consumer complaints reported.

While Campbell could not give any projections for the upcoming Christmas season, she emphasised the importance of consumers conducting background checks on potential shopping environments to minimise their risks when shopping.

“Uptown is just as dangerous as downtown,” she stated. “Call and ask a friend for assistance to avoid encountering difficulties in an area that you are not familiar with, especially at nights.”

The use of credit cards during this period is also chief among the concerns of the CAC. In August, the Organised Crime Investigation Division revealed that credit card fraud had amounted to more than US$58,000 and J$34 million in the first five months of this year.

“Ladies, ensure that you wear flats and carry zip handbags; and each time you shop, ensure that you retrieve your credit cards,” Campbell warned. “Don’t let it leave your sight, put it in your purse, zip up and then collect the goods.”