Buyers should be more vigilant not to get into trouble - Burakova

March 15, Gomel. Half of the appeals of Gomel residents to the trade department in 2020 related to the protection of consumer rights. Svetlana Burakova, Deputy Head of the Trade and Services Department of the Gomel City Executive Committee, told reporters about this at a briefing, BelTA has learned.

According to Svetlana Burakova, in 2020, the department registered 194 consumer protection appeals. “There is no growth compared to 2019. In total, the department received about 390 appeals. Most often, problematic issues are related to the trade sector,” she said. “However, it is more difficult to deal with personal services, since they provide for a contractual form of work. - do not miss the moment and conclude a contract. There are other nuances that an ordinary consumer does not know about. For example, when providing transport services or car repairs, it is necessary that, in addition to the contract itself, there is an acceptance certificate and a transfer certificate. At the same time, large service stations draw up the necessary documents, but small business entities are guilty of violations. But we, as consumers, must be able to protect ourselves."

A significant flow of appeals in the field of trade was associated with the epidemiological situation and the introduction of a mask regime in Gomel and the region. Citizens noted that at the checkout in stores they were denied a purchase due to the lack of personal respiratory protection equipment - masks. The second most popular question is about price tags. It is not uncommon for a situation where one price is indicated on the shelf, and another is knocked out at the checkout. "Of course, the human factor is not ruled out here, negligent attitude, perhaps the equipment has not been properly modernized," Svetlana Burakova emphasized. There are a lot of requests to refuse to provide citizens with a book of comments and suggestions.

The deputy head of the department noted that citizens are ready to discuss, discuss and say what they are not satisfied with in service or purchase. “However, business entities do not always treat the opinion of citizens with understanding and bring the situation to the point of appealing to different authorities,” she noted.

Many requests are received for the development of a trading network in the regional center, the opening of objects within walking distance. "This desire is understandable. We all want a store near the house where we could buy the missing products: the same bread or milk . But this is not always possible, although issues are resolved over time. So, for example, at the beginning of the year a store of this format was opened on Malaychuk St.," said Svetlana Burakova.

The department of trade and services emphasizes that there are also non-standard situations. One of them had to be dealt with by specialists. So, the family turned, suspecting the deception of the company, from which the installation of a double-glazed window was ordered. "People had doubts about the quality of the product and the service for its installation. An agreement was concluded with them for the installation of plastic windows. When considering the appeal, it was found that the young man - a representative of the company - had several options for contracts. According to one of them, he issued installation of a PVC window. Then, following an ad on the Internet site, I found a used option according to the measurements of the window. I bought it and installed it. However, people had doubts. People turned to our department," Svetlana Burakova emphasized.

The specialists found themselves in a difficult situation: on the one hand, the company denied the fact of signing the contract, consumers presented their own version of the document. As it turned out, the young man, who by that time did not work in the company, did indeed sign a contract. He planned to open his own business and continue to provide similar services. In this way he wanted to earn capital. Proceedings have been started.

A whole series of appeals concerned the activities of trade facilities that held exhibitions and sales and presentations in Gomel. They brought expensive goods, gathered elderly citizens or women, to whom they described the merits of goods in all colors. They talked about bonuses, gifts, treated them to tea. “And our people, having found themselves in such a situation, were lost, they wanted to participate in this. They made expensive purchases, for example, a chair or a massage blanket for Br4 thousand. Later, usually after 1-3 days, the veil seemed to fall off, understanding. They turned to us, asked for help to return the purchase back. We explain that according to the law, within 14 days, you can return goods of good quality back, but for this you need to go either to Grodno or to Brest, where trade objects are registered. In this case, along with the gifts, all gifts must be returned. Another important condition is that people did not use this product,” said Svetlana Burakova. However, the elderly do not always decide to travel hundreds of kilometers.

There was a case when a woman bought a mattress worth Br3,500. At the same time, the product did not fit her in size, it was half as narrow and shorter than the bed, and there was no promised massage effect. At the time of delivery, the happy owner was happy with everything. Later, the buyer saw the light and saw all the shortcomings.

The department of trade and services appealed to all senior citizens - it is important to share plans to attend such events with your family and friends. Perhaps they will protect against a rash purchase. After all, they then have to go through the authorities together with their mothers and fathers, grandfathers and grandmothers.

"In order not to get into a difficult situation, consumers must protect themselves. Carefully study the contract before signing it, because it is quite difficult to terminate the document. This case is already being considered in court. And before expensive acquisitions, at least you should study the reviews on the Internet. In all cases first of all, it is necessary to be vigilant and attentive," summed up Svetlana Burakova.