CAC Encourages Greater Utilization of Its Services

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is encouraging greater utilization of its services by the public to compare prices and report concerns arising.

Research Officer, Elroy Galbraith, says the agency has several tools and channels for the timely provision of information to consumers.

These, he said, include the ‘Price Enquiry Tool’ that enables persons to access and compare the prices for textbooks, groceries, petrol and hardware items, among other products.

Mr. Galbraith said the application is very helpful, and assures that persons can sit in the comfort of their homes and search for merchants offering the most competitive prices.

He was speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank at the agency’s head office in Kingston.

Mr. Galbraith said consumers can also request prices, information or lodge complaints by calling or emailing the CAC’s office.

Additionally, he said the agency publishes a monthly supplement which contains useful product information.

“We are also developing a system where you can text your data request and you will get a response via text as well. We are always improving our services to reassure the consumers,” he indicated.

For her part, the CAC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dolsie Allen, encouraged consumers familiarize themselves with and utilize the agency’s wide range of services.

“Consumers are still not accessing the full services of the CAC, which includes (provisions under) the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) that (safeguards) their interest,” she stated.

Mrs. Allen discourages consumers from taking matters into their own hands when they have a grouse, and invites them instead to “take action by reporting the service providers or businesses that are short changing them to the CAC.”

She assures that the CAC is very accessible, has a quick respond time and encourages persons to visit the agency’s website at www.cac.gov.jm for further information.