BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Director of Consumer Affairs and the Price Control Division, Geoffrey Dan Hou’ua, has strongly called on customers to report any price inconsistency or influx they come across in shops.
He made the call in light of ongoing price discrepancies experienced by customers buying goods from shops in Honiara.
Many social media commentators said this has been happening now and then for many shops in Honiara, where prices on the shelves differ from what is in the cashier system.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Island Sun, Mr Hou’ua said that no one has reported such cases to them when they come across the issue.
“Most of the times we do our follow up on such issue depends very much on when our officers’ heard stories that the price they displayed was different from their cash register or system,” said Hou’ua.
He further stressed that such matter usually comes under the Consumer Protection Act, and they have approached a few businesses in the past to address the issue.
“We called it misleading. Whether it is intentional or a mistake, it is an error, and even though they aren’t aware, we still take it as misleading. If it is intentional, we call it deception. This means that they try to lie to customers,” explained Hou’ua.
He said that under the price control Act, prices displayed by businesses on the shelves must be the same with the prices in their system.
“Businesses must display prices. So, it can be a mistake or intentional to mislead customers. But to solve it, it is either the customers to sort out with cashier or business in concern, otherwise if unaddressed customers can come to us and report it so we can deal with it,” he said.
He stressed that in such incidences, the Division’s inspectors can consult with affected customers and investigate the matter.
He also mentioned that the division does not have the power to impose spot fines on businesses but has the authority to bring the case to court.
“Businesses usually use prices we give them under the Price Control Act. They can go below, but they cannot go above,” he said.
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