Shoppers lose €500m in one year after problems with goods and services

Irish consumers have experienced losses of around €500m in one year due to problems with goods and services.

A study conducted for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission by Ipsos/MRBI shows that 44% of those questioned had experienced a problem after buying a product or service in the last 12 months.

Most issues were with internet, TV or telecommunications, followed by financial goods or services, personal electronic goods and household goods or services.

Isolde Goggin, chair of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, thinks the €500m figure is an underestimate.

"People also have to pay for phone calls, travel costs, legal advice and spend their own time in getting the problem fixed," she said.