Consumer associations should launch campaigns to get best deal for consumers: Salleh

KUALA LUMPUR: Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak advised consumers to never allow themselves to become victims of blackmail and be put in a situation where they were compelled to buy from or patronise an establishment because they were powerless and had no choice in the matter.
"There is a saying, 'consumers vote with their feet'. In other words, if they are not getting a good deal they just walk away," he said in his latest post on his blog sskeruak.blogspot.my, last night.
As such, he urged consumer associations to be more active and launch public campaigns to advise consumers on what they should do to get the best deal.
He said there should also be more laws concerning consumer protection, like being done in Europe where it had a 30-day return policy where consumers could return the product if they were not happy with their purchased product or found the same product being sold for cheaper price elsewhere.
"It is time consumers be empowered and not to be victims of unfair trade practices. Consumers must not only know their rights, but must be very cautious and selective before buying.
"The saying 'let the buyer beware' holds true here and the government cannot always solve problems through legislation if buyers themselves are careless and do not choose carefully before buying," he added. — Bernama