The Consumer Council of Fiji has received numerous complaints against a second-hand car dealer in Nakasi, who has been accepting money from consumers and failing to deliver as promised.
Council CEO, Seema Shandil says Chiba Motors (Pte) Ltd has been notorious for receiving deposits from customers but not delivering vehicles.
This year alone, the Council has recorded 21 complaints against the company valued at $23,400.
Shandil says consumers are constantly being ripped off and misinformed about the vehicles they intend to purchase.
She says one complainant paid $8,000 in 2018 as deposit for a vehicle and has yet to receive the vehicle to date. Another complainant paid $4,000 as deposit in January earlier this year and followed up with the trader to no avail.
Shandil says Chiba Motors continuously made false promises to these consumers with no intention of fulfilling them.
She says such unscrupulous businesses take advantage of the hard-earned money of individuals who spend years to save before they can pay for a car or its deposit.
Shandil says there has been no improvement from Chiba Motors despite consistent efforts to get them to provide redress through mediation.
She says the Council can no longer tolerate these inconsistencies.
Shandil says stronger enforcement is needed for businesses like Chiba to ensure they cease taking advantage of vulnerable consumers.
Complaints can be lodged on the Council’s National Consumer Toll-Free Helpline 155 or emailed to complaints@consumersfiji.org.
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