The Consumer Council of Fiji has initiated an investigation into a mobile electronics retailer in Suva due to two significant incidents involving the purchase of Apple gift cards, where buyers did not receive the full value of their orders.
These occurrences highlight potential issues with the processing and management of such transactions, prompting the Council to act swiftly.
In the first incident, a customer attempted to buy Apple gift cards, paying FJD $5,000 for cards totaling $1,600 USD. On June 21, 2024, the order was placed, but the customer only received a $500 gift card. After several unsuccessful attempts to obtain the remaining $1,100 USD worth of gift cards, the buyer sought assistance from the Council.
In another case on June 14, 2024, a different customer purchased Apple gift cards for FJD $7,000. Despite promises of prompt delivery, the buyer faced a lack of communication from the seller, who failed to deliver the cards and did not respond to numerous follow-up calls.
Seema Shandil, CEO of the Consumer Council, expressed concerns over the substantial amounts involved in these transactions, stating that consumers should be cautious when spending large sums on such products.
These incidents underscore the importance of consumer diligence when purchasing high-value gift cards or utilizing mobile repair services. Shandil emphasized the need for customers to ensure that vendors are authorized retailers to protect their consumer rights.
The investigation revealed that the retailer had not provided any documentation to prove its authorization to sell Apple products, raising questions about the legitimacy of the gift card sales and repair services offered.
Customers are urged to exercise caution with large transactions while the Council investigates these matters to uphold consumer rights and prevent future occurrences.
For reporting any suspicious activities or potential scams, customers can contact the Consumer Council of Fiji via email at complaints@consumersfiji.org or call the National Toll-Free Helpline at 155 for immediate assistance.