A growing number of consumers are being duped by online
sellers, who seem to be more interested in making a quick
buck on social media, rather than operating a legitimate
business.
The Consumer Council of Fiji has received 35
complaints in recent months, relating to several online
trading platforms believed to be operated by the same
individual. The complaints involve Trend Fiji (15
complaints), Entertainment Hub/Playhub (16 complaints),
Pacific Closet (2 complaints), and Pacifika Playhub (2
complaints).
A closer examination of the modus
operandi of all these traders reveals a consistent pattern;
consumers make payments after responding to advertisements
promoting a range of products on social media, however, once
payment is made, delivery of the goods allegedly fail to
materialise. Consumers further allege that their attempts to
obtain updates or request refunds have either been ignored
or met with repeated assurances that were never
fulfilled.
Council Chief Executive Officer Seema
Shandil said the increasing number of complaints is
concerning and serves as an important reminder for consumers
to exercise caution when purchasing goods from online
traders. “While online shopping offers convenience and
greater choice, consumers should never assume that an online
business is legitimate simply because it has an active
social media presence. Before making any payment, consumers
should take time to verify the seller, look for genuine
customer feedback, and ensure there are clear delivery
arrangements and refund policies in place,” she
said.
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Ms. Shandil said consumers should be
particularly cautious when dealing with sellers who require
full payment before dispatching goods, especially where
there is limited information about the business or no
established track record.
She also encouraged
consumers to keep copies of advertisements, payment
receipts, invoices, and all communications with online
traders, as these documents can assist in resolving disputes
should problems arise.
Consumers who experience
non-delivery of goods, unreasonable delays, or difficulties
obtaining refunds are encouraged to report the matter to the
Council through our National Consumer Helpline: 155 or email
at
complaints@consumersfiji.org.
