The Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman (CGSO) has released its latest report for 2018.<\/p>\n
A key focus in the report is the common traps that consumers fall into.<\/p>\n
In one such instant, a complainant advised that she met an agent of the supplier on a dating site, explained the CGSO.<\/p>\n
“The parties decided to exchange numbers and keep in contact. The complainant was later advised by the agent that he was interested in meeting her.”<\/p>\n
“The complainant met the agent at the gym, and resulted in the complainant signing a one-year contract with the supplier. The complainant paid the entire 12-month contract upfront.”<\/p>\n
However, no sooner had the complainant concluded the deal with the supplier, the agent cut all contact with the complainant and blocked her on WhatsApp.<\/p>\n
Following this the complainant said that she wished to cancel the agreement and requested a full refund from the supplier.<\/p>\n
The supplier\u2019s response was that the complainant is free to cancel the agreement at any time and the supplier will levy a reasonable cancellation fee, in accordance of section 14 of the Consumer Protection Act.<\/p>\n
As the complainant entered into a valid agreement with the hope of pursuing her love interests, she is bound by the agreement unless she pays a cancellation fee, the CGSO said.<\/p>\n
“In this matter the supplier charged the complaint a cancellation fee of one-month and refunded the amount already paid for the rest of the year.”<\/p>\n
It further warned that consumers should never make emotional decisions when entering into an agreement.<\/p>\n
“They are binding and if things do not work out as planed you will be held liable in terms of such agreement,” it said.<\/p>\n