A mobile electronics retailer in Suva is currently being investigated by the Consumer Council of Fiji following reports of two significant transactions involving Apple gift cards, where customers did not receive the full value of their purchases.
The cases raise concerns about the retailer’s handling and delivery of these transactions, prompting the Council to launch an urgent inquiry. In one case, a customer purchased Apple gift cards for FJD$5,000 with a total value of USD$1,600 on June 21, 2024. However, the customer only received a gift card worth USD$500. Despite multiple requests, the remaining gift cards valued at USD$1,100 were never delivered, leading the buyer to seek help from the Council.
In a separate incident, another customer bought Apple gift cards for FJD$7,000 on June 14, 2024, with a promise of prompt delivery after payment. However, despite several attempts to reach out to the seller, the buyer did not receive the cards and encountered issues such as call diversions and unreturned messages.
Seema Shandil, the chief executive of the Council, expressed concern over the monetary values involved and noted that these might be isolated incidents or indicative of a broader issue. She emphasized the importance of caution when spending large sums of money on gift cards and mobile repair services, advising consumers to verify that vendors are authorized retailers to protect their rights.
The investigation by the Council has raised uncertainty about whether the retailer is an authorized dealer, as they have failed to provide proof of being an authorized retailer of Apple products. This has led to questions regarding the legitimacy of the gift card sales and the other repair services offered by the business. The Council is committed to protecting consumer rights and preventing similar issues in the future, while also urging consumers to remain vigilant during major transactions.
Consumers are encouraged to report any irregularities or suspicious activities related to scams or fraud to the Consumer Council of Fiji for immediate assistance at complaints@consumersfiji.org or by calling the National Toll-Free Helpline at 155.