The Public Affairs Officer, Roida Andusamile
The agency issued the precaution after rising public complaints with regard to goods that some business people sell mainly mobile phones, home electrical goods and other common gadgets that are of poor quality.
On the spot check by The Guardian at Mwenge Old Bus Stand established that consumers complained much about defective phones sold there.
But when they expressed their concerns the traders told them they could have best products if they paid extra money, or if they would visit them on another day.
However, even the gadgets bought for as a high a price as Sh70,000 displayed problems similar to others for which the selling price is Sh10, 000.
At Mwenge, one of the operators introduced himself as a managing director, but refused to state his name yet he admitted that the complaints are normal when dealing with second-hand products.
Adelina Davison who bought a phone for Sh10, 000 from the auctioneer said: “These guys are conmen…when I complained they said I either pay an extra Sh20, 000 to get another gadget or go back there after a week when they would have new consignment. “But nothing has been done.”
On his part, the man claiming to be managing director replied: “Even if it be only Sh500, we never give back money to customers … this is auction procedure. We can give you another phone, but unfortunately the ones that sell for Sh10, 000 are finished… till Monday next week.
On the sidelines, appeared Jamila Ramadhani demanding Sh65, 000 back.This was money she had paid for a mobile phone, which failed to function but ended up being given the same response that Adelina received.
However, on second encounter with The Guardian Adelina complained that the company shifted from the premises without addressing her problem.
“I arrived at Mwenge last week, according to our agreement, but I found the place empty. I continue going there without success,” complained Adelina.
BRELA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frank Kanyus said the rule is that all auction activities must take place within registered premises that have valid documents such as registration card, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the license plastered on the wall, for every customer to see.
“Otherwise the auctioneer is violating auction rules and obligations. Legal action should immediately be taken against him/her,” Kanyus stressed. As for fake goods, the CEO said it is the police force’s responsibility to intervene because BRELA has no mandate to deal with such claims.
Meanwhile, the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) considers auction activities outside the registered locations illegal but admitted that many auctioneers violate the auctions’ rules and conditions.
In another development, the commission’s communications and public relations officer Frank Mdimi said the community should know the consumer’s rights and responsibilities.
For example, he said, people should never buy goods as long as the answers they get are unsatisfactory and added that a consumer is entitled to know complete information on price, quantity and ingredients from providers of goods and services.
According to FCC, the consumer is also to be protected against unsafe goods and services since they can lead to destruction of property, injury, and even deaths.
Reached for comments, a Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) source said the importation of fake and sub-standard phones is because the institution lacks special laboratory and experts for testing.
The Public Affairs Officer, Roida Andusamile said: “We are currently looking forward to using our foreign agents such as Inter-tech, Bureau Veritas and SGS to do the testing of phones before importation.”
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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