Consumers Urged to Be Careful When Purchasing Goods from Unknown Sources

Consumers are being urged to be extra vigilant when purchasing items from unknown sources this Christmas season.

The advice was issued by Director of Communications, Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Latoya Halstead, at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank held on Thursday (December 14), at the agency’s head office in Kingston.

Ms. Halstead said that as consumers go shopping for the holidays, they must be mindful that there will be several itinerant vendors during this period.

An itinerant vendor is one who travels from one place to another selling goods.

“Think about it, you have purchased an item from somebody who you saw hanging on the corner and something has happened to that item, do you think you are going to go back to that corner and find the person?” said Ms. Halstead.

“We have to be logical, because when you purchase an item like that, there is no guarantee that the person is going to be there for you to get redress [when you return]. We encourage you to purchase items from reputable sources,” she continued.

The Communications Director also emphasised that shoppers should always ensure that they get a receipt whenever they do a transaction in the marketplace.

She noted that a receipt consists of the amount paid by the consumer, the date on which the item was purchased, a description of the goods or services and where applicable, for example at pharmacies, the professional fees along with any other information.

“The reason we say to consumers, get your receipt – if you don’t get it, demand it – is because you can have an issue with the item or service that you have purchased. Now, in terms of how you get redress, it is based on what evidence you have that this transaction actually took place,” Ms. Halstead explained.