Consumers start demanding receipts –Kapito
The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has called on consumers in the country to start demanding for receipts each time they purchase goods or services, saying they are empowered by law.
CAMA under a Receipt Langa (Demand for Receipt) project has since set-up a media club which will assist in monitoring and provide market inspection assessing the impact of the project as well as assist consumers understand the importance of demanding receipts.
Based on Consumer Protection Act (2003) consumers are empowered to demand for a receipt for every transaction or purchase made with the receipt providing clear details of the actual price as well as any duty, tax, charge, fees or levy the consumer is liable to pay.
CAMA Executive Director, John Kapito disclosed in an interview with Nyasa Times that the body initiated the project following numerous complaints it has been receiving especially on challenges consumers face when seeking redress on purchases made in absence of receipts.
“We noted the influx of substandard products and services being offered on the market, and challenges consumers continue to experience on how they can get redress on certain purchases they have done in absence of a receipt, and this has been made worse by many traders that refuse to give receipts to consumers,” said Kapito.
Kapito said traders who continue to use disclaimer clauses such as ‘Once goods are bought are not returnable’, and those who refuse to give consumers warranties and guarantees especially on products that have long usage.
“It has also been noted that most traders are deceiving consumers that if they don’t demand a receipt then they will be entitled to a discount which is not true considering the many challenges they face after every purchase. We urge consumers to start demanding for receipts and ensure they use such receipts each time they seek redress on purchases made.”
Section 36 (1) of the Consumer Protection Act (2003) stipulates that “A supplier or trader of technology, goods or services shall provide a consumer with a contract, receipt, ticket, invoice, business record or any other document that embodies or evidences the transaction unless this requirement is expressly excluded by this Act or any other written law.”
The Act further stipulates in Section 34 (4) that “The supplier or trader shall, in transactions concerning products for long use, provide maintenance, after sale services and guarantee or warranty to the consumer.”
Kapito believes that the project would create a platform where consumers will be educated that a demand for a receipt must be compulsory, thereby assisting in eliminating fake and counterfeit products.
“It’s is our desire to see consumers refrain from conducting business with traders that do not issue receipts after purchase. We would like to see empowered consumers, and the changed traders who are able to bide by the law and stop giving consumers a raw deal,” added Kapito.
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How about school fees this coming January 2015 EFD receipt . I need to be schooled.
Kapito tiuzeni bwino za receipt ndi Burundi yemwe kodi? Ndiye tea wa mawa ayenda?
Now, these two groups also should stop hand written receipts!!!!
All you guys are blaming the Indians what about us local Malawians that don’t even have the EFD MACHINE. How can we be so racist and just blame the Indians. Let me be very honest with you guys as long as the Indians are in the market our country is surviving. So please don’t be so racist and blame the Indians only it’s us local Malawians that are not paying taxes the way the Indians are paying
I would like MRA pr any responsible body to give out their contacts, or even come up with a toll free # so that we can report these crooks should they try to beat the system in place. (school me if such an initiative of toll free numbers is already in place)
Nanga akatiwuza kuti alibe receipt basi tisamagule? what about azimayi a bonya ndi tomatato nawonso azitipatsa ma receipt? tikagula ma jigisi ndi ma sweet amtengo tizitenganso receipt?
A Malawi Revenue Authority can you fund this project as it is of help to you
I thing for the first time in his CAMA life, DR. Kapito has been very right.
Additionally, please all the receipts must have postal addresses for traceability and on legal matters. These too are important aspects. To my fellow vendors, change has come to stay and if we don’t change, change will change us.
yes it is time . There is a lot of cheating in malawi by traders especialy Indians sometimes telling customers to colude with them to avoid paying VAT.
Mumagulitsa dala katundu ofoira, zanu izo.