A mobile electronics retailer in Suva is currently under investigation by the Consumer Council of Fiji following reports of two cases involving substantial purchases of Apple gift cards, in which buyers did not receive the full value of their orders.
These incidents have raised concerns about potential issues in transaction handling and delivery, prompting the Council to launch an urgent inquiry.
In the first case, a buyer placed an order for Apple gift cards, paying FJD$5000 for cards valued at USD$1600 on June 21, 2024. However, the individual only received a gift card with a value of USD$500, with the remaining cards worth USD$1100 still unreceived despite multiple requests for their delivery. The buyer then sought help from the Council.
In another incident, a second customer purchased Apple gift cards worth FJD$7000 on June 14, 2024, with promises of prompt delivery following payment. However, after numerous attempts to contact the seller, the buyer did not receive the gift cards and experienced call diversions and unreturned communications.
Council chief executive Seema Shandil commented, “These may be isolated cases or part of a bigger pattern. What’s concerning is the amounts associated with these purchases.” She emphasized the importance of caution when spending large sums on such products.
Shandil also noted the critical need for consumers to verify that vendors are authorized retailers, stating, “It is essential to protect consumer rights.” During the investigation, the Council was unable to confirm whether the retailer is an authorized dealer, as they failed to provide proof of being an authorized retailer of Apple goods.
This raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the gift card sales and other services offered by the retailer. The Council is committed to addressing these issues to protect consumer rights and prevent similar situations in the future. Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant when making high-value transactions.
Additionally, individuals who encounter discrepancies or suspect fraudulent activities are urged to report them to the Consumer Council of Fiji for immediate assistance, either by emailing complaints@consumersfiji.org or calling the National Toll-Free Helpline at 155.