CPC Press Release – 23rd October, 2019

PRESS RELEASE

CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMISSION

Nassau, The Bahamas, 23 October 2019: The Consumer Protection Act, 2006 makes provisions for the greater protection of consumers. The legislation seeks to provide remedy to consumers who are disadvantaged daily by exorbitant prices, substandard products and the unscrupulous practices of merchants and service providers. The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) is the forum for consumers to have their complaints addressed on a timely basis.

The law requires merchants and service providers to be more accountable and ensures that in their dealings with consumers, value is exchanged for goods and services provided.

The Act addresses consumer concerns in the following areas:

• Protection from hazards to their health and safety;

* Consumer Education;

• Avenues for effective redress of complaints;
• Encouragement of the formation of consumer groups to represent consumer views in matters of interest and decision making.

CPC Key Accomplishments to Date:

• Amendments to the Act – We have drafted amendments to the CPC Act 2006 and drafted new Regulations where there were previously none and these are now before the Legal Reform Committee headed by Dame Anita Allen.

• Expansion to the Family Islands – We have expanded to the Family Islands and have established representative offices in Freeport, Abaco and North Andros. The grand strategy is to have a presence in all the islands of The Bahamas so that residents and visitors alike can have protection from unscrupulous service providers.

3). Ongoing Education Campaigns – we believe an educated consumer is YOUR BEST CUSTOMER. In other words, the more the customer knows; he/she is in a better position to make informed decisions. Aggressive campaigns are being conducted by CPC through social media, Facebook, CPC website, Schools, Churches, etc. to educate our citizens where to go and what to do when they are disadvantaged by unscrupulous service providers.

 Common Complaints from Consumers

1. Insurance Claims – Insurance Companies are making it difficult to settle claims due to under-insurance, high deductibles, special provisions that surprise customers due to lack of knowledge of coverage.
2. VAT – In a number of FIs, some businesses are charging VAT illegally as they do not have revenue of more than $100k and are collecting 12% VAT and are pocketing same. There is a need for Revenue Inspectors to make frequent FI visits and hold town meetings to correct this situation.
3. Dealing with Government Agencies – Consumers’ phone calls regularly goes unanswered and correspondence are lost even when delivered by hand and signed for by staff. Managers who run the day-to-day operations of ministries and departments are not responsive to customer requests.
4. Registrar General Office – Primary complaints are about company formation and the handling of general inquiries.
5. High Prices – This is a chronic complaint. Chairman of the Price Commission, Mr Danny Sumner, will discuss this matter in detail.

Where can Consumers go to have these and other matters addressed?

CONTACT

1. THE CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMISSION

TEACHERS AND SALARIED  WORKERS BUILDING

EAST STREET SOUTH

TEL -393-7795 thru 7

RICARDO DEVEAUX-  DIRECTOR

MACHELLE CARROLL – MANAGER

2. FACEBOOK – CPCBAHAMAS

3. WWW.CPCBAHAMAS,ORG

We have to do better as a country and we can do it. Let’s serve our customers with distinction.

Philip J Beneby

Chairman