The Consumer Council of Fiji has initiated an investigation into a mobile electronics retailer in Suva after two significant incidents involving purchases of Apple gift cards. Customers reported not receiving the full amount of the gift cards they ordered, raising concerns about the handling of such transactions.
In the first case, a customer paid FJD $5,000 for Apple gift cards valued at $1,600 USD on June 21, 2024, but only received a $500 card. After several attempts to retrieve the remaining cards worth $1,100 USD, the buyer sought assistance from the Council.
Another incident occurred on June 14, 2024, when another customer purchased Apple gift cards for FJD $7,000, with the seller promising prompt delivery. However, despite multiple attempts to contact the seller, the buyer was left frustrated with unanswered calls and no delivery of the cards.
Seema Shandil, CEO of the Consumer Council, expressed concern over the significant amounts involved in these transactions. She emphasized the need for consumers to be cautious when spending large sums on such products. Shandil urged buyers to verify that vendors are authorized retailers to protect their rights.
The investigation has yet to confirm if the retailer is an authorized dealer of Apple products, which raises doubts about the legitimacy of the gift card sales and other services offered by the retailer. Customers are being advised to exercise caution during substantial purchases while the Council works on resolving these issues to uphold consumer rights.
For assistance or to report any suspicious activities relating to scams or fraud, consumers are encouraged to contact the Consumer Council of Fiji at complaints@consumersfiji.org or call the National Toll-Free Helpline at 155.