Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
WITH the festive season in full swing, consumers have been called upon to remain vigilant and exercise caution to avoid falling victim to businesses engaging in profiteering practices.
During such times, unscrupulous businesses take advantage of their customers through misrepresentation and deceitful promotions, with most consumers falling victim to these untrustworthy business practices.
This time of the year often sees unjustified price increases on goods and services, as opportunistic businesses seek to maximise their profits at the expense of consumers. During the festive mood, people tend to make more purchases and spend more money. In an interview, Chartered Institute of Customer Relations Management (CICRM) president, Dr Mthokozisi Nkosi, emphasised the need for consumers to shop wisely.
“Consumers are urged to shop wisely during the festive season. Do not be misled and be alert to misrepresentation as well as deceitful promotions,” he said.
“The festive season is that time of the year when most businesses want to maximise their returns by any means necessary and consumers are cautioned against falling prey to such businesses.”
He noted that there was life after the holidays and consumers must try to avoid impulse buying, adding that where consumers felt it was absolutely necessary to make a purchase, they should shop around, bargain, exercise care and demand their rights.
Dr Nkosi urged consumers not to blindly accept what they are told by those selling products but should insist on getting full disclosure information and education on product quality, usage, utility, price and other factors.
Economic analyst, Mr Reginald Shoko said to avoid festive season profiteering, consumers must be informed and vigilant.
“Research benchmark prices for staples and use official exchange rates for United States Dollars (USD) purchases to spot unjustified hikes. Scrutinise discounts by verifying an item’s price history, as ‘sales’ can be deceptive,” he advised.
“Avoid panic buying, which fuels artificial scarcity, instead, plan ahead, budget wisely and consider group buying. Always demand transparency through marked prices and receipts, as well as inspecting goods for quality and expiry dates.”
He called on consumers to report unfair practices to authorities while supporting ethical businesses. Mr Shoko added that consumers should always remain sceptical, prioritise needs and insist on transparency to protect their spending.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland Chapter past vice-president and businessman, Mr Louis Herbst, said this was the time when a few businesses take advantage of increased demand through unjustified price hikes, misleading promotions and dumping cheap, low-quality imports on the market.
“The first warning sign is sudden price increases. Some retailers quickly blame ‘duty changes’ or ‘new taxes,’ yet many of these claims are simply not true. Consumers should question those explanations and compare prices before buying,” he said.
“We are also seeing the market flooded with fake products and inferior imports marketed as ‘festive bargains.’ These goods often come with no warranty and no return policy. That alone should be a major red flag. If the seller cannot stand behind the product, you should not spend your money on it,” he warned.
He said this was especially important with electrical appliances, as many shops offer attractive specials on television sets (TVs), fridges, microwaves and inverters, but the warranties are usually useless.
Mr Herbst explained that the fine print almost always excludes possible damage from power surges or outages, which conveniently voids the warranty the moment something goes wrong.
“In the end, the consumer is left with an expensive decoration and no recourse because you are unable to prove otherwise. Only buy electronics from reputable suppliers with clear, enforceable warranties in writing,” he said.
“Consumers should also be cautious of misleading festive promotions, inflated prices disguised as discounts, repackaged near-expiry goods and attention-grabbing banners that do not reflect real value. Always check expiry dates, read the fine print and make sure the price at the till matches what is on the shelf.”
The Zimbabwe Consumer Protection Act grants shoppers several key rights, including the right to health and safety, the right to choose, the right to information and the right to redress for any unfair trade practices. The Act ensures a fair and transparent marketplace for consumers.
The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC), a statutory body under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) (Cap 14:44), is on record as calling on consumers to report issues like counterfeit goods, misleading adverts or refusal to accept local currency to the CPC for investigation and action.
