Consumers 'must do more to protect their rights'

CONSUMERS have no regard for their rights and do not complain enough, according to Consumer Director Carmel Foley.

Speaking after the publication of the Director of Consumer Affair’s annual report, which found further evidence of a euro rip-off, Ms Foley said despite changes to legislation, consumers must do more to protect their rights.

“There is a need for more vigilance by consumers, Ms Foley said.

“Other countries appear to be more demanding and we should be the same,” she added.

The majority of complaints made to the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs last year involved inflated prices during and after the euro changeover.

The office carried out more than 1,900 investigations, resulting in 24 convictions against retailers for breeches of consumer legislation.

The level of exploitation by certain professions during the changeover to the new currency, combined with the findings of this month’s Forfás report on euro price increases, was a matter of serious concern Ms Foley said.

“I am seriously concerned by the behaviour of a minority of retailers and professionals who did not sign up to the Voluntary Code and who showed otherwise unaccounted for price increases,” she said.

Ms Foley, who hit out at publicans and doctors, said a unanimous government response to the Forfás report would be released soon.

“Those who did sign up to our code, and by and large the vast majority did sign up, did not try to take advantage, but there were some categories like the publicans and professionals like doctors who did not sign up to the code. Isn’t it interesting they were the ones found to be putting up their prices without reason by the Forfás report,” Ms Foley she said. Top of the list for investigation last year were price display, misleading prices, misleading advertising and product safety.

The fact that prices and advertising should be at the top of the list is an indication of the office’s determination to crack down on consumer rip-offs, Ms Foley said.

“The consumer should be honestly and accurately informed before making any purchase. Without this commitment, the marketplace cannot be said to be transparent and competitive, and I will continue to keep these fundamentals as a priority,” she promised.

The office dealt with a record 23,000 inquiries from consumers.

The majority of inquiries concerned the euro, followed by clothing, motor vehicles, holidays, prices, furniture, mobile phones and home improvements.