A Suva-based joinery company has been fined $30,000 by the Magistrates Court after breaching consumer rights by taking payment for a custom kitchen and failing to deliver the goods or services. The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) charged the company with one count of accepting payment without being able to supply, under Sections 88 and 129(1A) of the FCCC Act 2010. The court heard that the company took $7,000 from a customer for the manufacture and installation of a modern deluxe kitchen but did not deliver the products or services within a reasonable timeframe.
The matter went to trial in July 2025, and on 15 August the Magistrates Court found the company guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Sentencing followed on 3 September 2025, with the court ordering the company to pay $30,000 in fines and $500 in prosecution costs.
FCCC Chief Executive Officer Senikavika Jiuta welcomed the ruling, saying it sends a clear message to businesses that consumer rights must be respected. “This conviction should act as a deterrent for other traders and reinforces FCCC’s commitment to protecting our consumers,” Jiuta said. “We urge traders not to engage in conduct that exploits consumers by taking payments without supplying goods or services within a reasonable timeframe. The FCCC will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action against any trader who breaches the trust of Fijian consumers.”
Context and broader impact
The case sits within a broader pattern of FCCC enforcement actions aimed at safeguarding consumer rights. In recent weeks, several traders have faced penalties for related violations, including false or misleading claims about offerings and the non-delivery of goods. Across these cases, penalties and compensations have totaled tens of thousands of dollars, underscoring the FCCC’s ongoing commitment to fair trading practices and consumer protection. Notably, other recent actions have included a pair of fines totaling $25,000 each for deceptive claims about product quality and warranties, and cases involving overcharging or failures to deliver goods after deposits were paid.
What this means for consumers
– Keep clear records of all payments, contracts, and communications with traders.
– If a trader takes payment but does not deliver within a reasonable timeframe, report the matter to the FCCC as a potential breach of consumer rights.
– Consumers may be eligible for refunds, fines, or compensation through FCCC action in appropriate cases.
Logical takeaway
This decision reinforces that misuse of consumer trust—taking payments without fulfilling obligations—has tangible legal consequences in Fiji. The FCCC’s continued actions aim to deter unethical trading practices, bolster consumer confidence, and promote a fairer marketplace.
A joined-up enforcement approach by the FCCC has yielded another notable conviction, sending a firm warning to traders that non-delivery after payment will be pursued and penalized. The ruling contributes to a broader trend of accountability for deceptive or non-delivery practices in Fiji’s marketplace, with the aim of protecting consumers and strengthening trust in compliant businesses.
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