Online Reporter
Zimpapers Business Hub
CONSUMERS have been urged to remain vigilant during the festive season to avoid falling victim to predatory businesses seeking to profiteer through misrepresentation and deceitful promotions.
Unjustified price hikes on goods and services are not uncommon during the festive period.
Chartered Institute of Customer Relations Management president Dr Mthokozisi Nkosi said consumers need 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 also cautioned consumers against impulse buying, while emphasising the need for buyers to get full disclosure, as well as information and education on product quality, usage, utility and price, among other factors.
Economic analyst Mr Reginald Shoko said consumers must be well-informed to avoid being hoodwinked.
“Research benchmark prices for staples and use official exchange rates for United States dollar 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 the authorities while supporting ethical businesses.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Matabeleland Chapter former 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.”
The fine print, Mr Herbst explained, 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 added.
“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, a statutory body under the Consumer Protection Act (Cap 14:44), is on record as calling on consumers to report to it issues like counterfeit goods, misleading adverts or refusal to accept the local currency for investigation and action.
