Traders push their own, they don't care about consumers

More than half a million euros in fines were imposed on traders for disobeying consumer rights, namely denying the right to purchase products in the correct measure and quantity, according to the published conditions of sale, non-delivery of goods, non-return of change in denominations less than five cents, charging for carrying bags with the company's logo , differences between the price on the item and the checkout...

This is the balance of the work of the Market Inspection in the area of ​​consumer protection during 2019.

"Vijesti" was officially told by the Directorate for Inspection Affairs (UIP) that in 2019, the market inspection performed a total of 10.208 inspections in the area of ​​protection of economic interests. They emphasize that compared to previous years, more consumers report to the Market Inspection in order to protect their rights, and that these requests are justified in more than 50 percent of cases.

"Last year, the market inspection carried out a total of 10.208 inspections in the area of ​​protecting the economic interests of consumers, which included controls related to prices. In these controls, a total of 3.402 irregularities were determined, of which 1.276 related to price irregularities - the price was not displayed or was not displayed in the prescribed manner, the trader does not comply with the established and displayed prices, non-compliance with obligations related to the way prices are displayed with discounts and reductions... The 3.402 irregularities identified were related to price deficiencies, product deficiencies, service deficiencies, exercising rights from complaints and guarantees, while the rest related to denying the consumer the right to purchase products in the correct measure and quantity. on the purchase of products according to the published conditions of sale, non-conformity of the product, documentation accompanying the goods in circulation was not submitted, paid goods were not delivered, non-return of change in denominations of less than five cents, charging for carrying bags with the company's logo...", said the UIP .

The UIP explained that consumer protection is governed by the Consumer Protection Act, which establishes basic rights when purchasing and other forms of product circulation on the market, especially the protection of economic interests, legal protection, information and education, association of consumers to protect their interests, and others issues of importance for consumer protection.

"When it comes to violations of consumer rights compared to previous years, it is noticeable that more consumers report to the Market Inspection in order to protect their rights. The fact is that consumer requests for the protection of their rights are founded in more than 50 percent of cases," said the UIP.

They emphasize that especially a large number of consumers come forward when it comes to the conformity of the product and the violation of that right. Conformity implies that if the product or service breaks down within the first six months of purchase, the consumer has the right to choose between repair, replacement or termination of the contract, i.e. refund.

"Last year, the market inspection determined a total of 1.276 irregularities in relation to prices, and to eliminate them, the inspectors issued 511 citation measures and issued 765 decisions. For committed misdemeanors, 1.420 misdemeanor orders were issued in the amount of 562,80 thousand euros in fines, and seven requests were submitted to initiate misdemeanor proceedings...", the UIP pointed out.

The data show that the Market Inspection received a total of 1.220 initiatives, of which 659 were consumer complaints, and the most reported irregularities related to price deficiencies, namely 182. The most complaints from citizens about unmarked prices on products came from Podgorica and Nikšić.