Louis Parnis, Fgura
For a consumers' association with clout
It is high time that consumers of all genres are given a voice. This has to be their own voice and a powerful voice at that. The never-ending litany of complaints in all media, within families, at every corner, in all squares and at every shop and supermarket just indicate the frustration, the helplessness with which the consumer is faced continuously.
Do not expect the government, the opposition, the Consumer Affairs Council, unions etc. to lose any sleep over your problems, dear consumer. You simply have to unite and attain strength in numbers. Failing this, you will continue to be steamrolled over and over. Individual moaning will not get you anywhere.
I am advocating the setting up of a consumers' association. If such an association is already in existence then it must be dormant. It will have to be an absolutely non-profit-making organisation led by a committee that is dynamic, fearless and non-political. Such committee will have the power vested in it to take actions that are only meant to protect the consumer. Yes, it should be able to name and shame, to call boycotts of products and services, businesses, government authorities, professionals etc. in order to attain its objectives within the legal ambit. It could insist on representation on the MCESD in which the consumer has no voice at present.
Naturally, no such organisation can be formed and run without funds, even if it is basically voluntary. But this hurdle could be overcome by levying, say, €2 per household per year to cover operating costs, like, legal fees and possibly one or two salaries. I think it would be anybody's best investment.
I personally would not mind having the honour of being the first to pay my €2 membership. Anyone out there to start the ball rolling?
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J Demicoli
Feb 16th 2009, 18:24
I used to look forward for Mr. Muscat Inglott’s page on the Sunday Times of Malta. His was a truly consumer oriented input, where he would give sound advise as well as name and shame unruly businesses. It is true that despite the many positive aspects this energetic man provided, he did not find the desired response and I would say appreciation he deserved from the general public. Least to say, that seldom a case solved would entice the consumer to at least show a little gratitude and inform Mr. M. Inglott of the positive outcome. Alas, despite all that, I really am disappointed that this page has been discontinued. The least I could say about the present Consumers’ page is that it is just full of rhetoric information.
Charles P Cilia
Feb 16th 2009, 17:23
Don’t we already have consumer associations that do name and shame? Similarly, don’t we also have an ombudsman whose advice is sometimes ignored? What makes you think that an other association is the answer?. I would also like to belong to a body with enough clout to protect me from misappropriations instigated commercially, professionally or ‘unjustly’ by government. We have the courts of justice, but they themselves are expensively unjust. It looks like there are not many plausible alternatives, except maybe one. And that is of having a committed, non political pressure group who has what it takes; and, with only one term of reference and that is to harass the government and the opposition by never letting them forget that somewhere down there is an unprotected consumer. Maybe, then, the consumer will not need to be protected that much. Having said all that, I do think that things are getting better, albeit very slowly. We as consumers are being made aware of our rights; however, it is about time that the retailers, service providers including professional with whom the consumer directly interacts and relates with are made abundantly aware of what their customers/consumers’ rights are and to respect always.
c.camilleri
Feb 16th 2009, 17:20
Louis you are too optimistic if you think that the Maltese will ever stop complaining and whining. Il-Maltin iridhua hobla u tredda.
J Agius
Feb 16th 2009, 17:19
Why not make the 2-year legal guarntee truly legal and obligatory!
Emanuel Farrugia
Feb 16th 2009, 17:14
I believe there are inaccuracies in the blog posted by Mr. C. Bugeja. 1. Can he tell me which are the other consumer associations he knows of other than the only voluntary NGO presently operating in Malta and Gozo which is the ' Ghaqda tal-Konsumaturi '. 2. Can he tell me from where he obtained the information that " the Associations are by law financed by the Minister " ? 3. 100 members is one of the requirements under the law which is necessary for a consumer NGO to apply for recognition to the Consumer Affairs Council before obtaining any benefits contained in the Consumer Affairs Act. 4. The Ghaqda tal-Konsumaturi was set up in the early months of 1982 and has been operatring for nearly 27 years. The financial income is obtained through membership fees which are 3.49 Euro for consumers, and 2.33 Euro for pensioners. 5. More information can be obtained or rerquested at the website www.camalta.org
Joe Meilak
Feb 16th 2009, 16:14
It would be pertinent to note the work of CSQM (Customer Service Quality Mark) which is a proprietary quality mark that protects consumers two times over once as companies who qualify are audited and mystery shopped continuously and secondly because if you have an issue with them you can refer directly to CSQM (www.csqm.net) and within 24hours you receive support required within the remit of the CSQM Certification. This is a Maltese company and any service provider retailer can join. Support in case of need is free of charge.
C Bugeja
Feb 16th 2009, 13:12
As far as I know, there are various Consumer Associations, with the first one being put up in the early nineties. The Associations are by law financed by the Minister, if they reach certain requirements in the Consumer Affairs Act, such as being non-profit, having at least 100 members, having as principal objective the protection of consumers, etc. I don't see a problem of setting up a Consumer Association, because they exist. The bigger problem is that all this Associations are scattered with no really unified daily function. What we need is one strong Association, but how can you convince the various Associations to unite?