Christmas and New Year are forthcoming, alongside shopping euphoria – the latter often giving ground for abuse on the part of unfair traders. Whenever you come upon such practice, don’t complain to your friends only. Do insist on the solving of the problem by the trader himself and in case of resistance – alarm the Consumers’ Protection Committee, the body in charge. Most often citizens complain about product defects or denials of claims in the spheres of communication, audio and video, household appliances or about excessive long-term contracts due to so-called “promotions”, the committee’s Chair Dimitar Margaritov states. He marks that the institution succeeds in its support within some 70 percent of the cases. A drop in the number of violations by traders has also been registered. Has the Bulgarian consumer learnt to defend his rights over the years? Here is what Mr. Margaritov says:

“We can answer with both yes and no. Past summer’s statistics registered a doubled number of users across our Black Sea resorts’ offices, willing to get a consultation without their rights having been violated. This means people tend to look for more and more information for eventual abuse situations. At the same time others opt to keep silence and go on when they feel like someone has tried to reach their pocket. I think it’s worth working on the consuming culture of the average Bulgarian. Thus traders understand that people won’t just stand and put up with their attempts.”

The Black Friday violations’ analysis is now ready.

“We carried out over 130 inspections with some 20 violations registered through that day,” says Dimitar Margaritov. “The major ones were related to vague presenting of the percentage discounts which confused the consumers. There were shopping centers that had declared their Black Friday online, but didn’t join the campaign. Clients found out about the situation on the spot. Now we have an idea on the major violations and we will do our best on New Year.”

What new about the future activity of the committee? Here is what Mr. Margaritov said:

“The so-called sector mediatory committees are expected to kick off their activity as of the beginning of 2016 with amendments adopted with the Consumer Protection Act. Those will aim at the solving of consumer agreements in the major spheres – communications, electricity and water supply etc. in a quick and free manner. All parties’ participation is voluntary and now we face the challenge to introduce the committee to them as an important and effective tool.”

What is the main thing that each and every one of us should know in the role of a consumer?

“People should know their rights as consumers and EU citizens, as a large part of the consumer protection is within the common European framework with all those rights guaranteed by the law. Traders are not allowed to suspend those due to a discount or promotion. Whenever consumers feel the existence of a problem – they should look for their rights. If the trader fails to solve the issue, they should turn to us, the body of control, in order an inspection to be carried out and a sanction to be imposed in case of a violation,” Chair of the Consumers’ Protection Committee Dimitar Margaritov calls on in conclusion.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev