Case closed

Egay Uy .

THE provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry under director Ma. Eliza Pabillore has quickly acted on the issues I raised in two recent columns regarding some lapses committed by a supermarket with respect to regulations governing retail and free trade. It scheduled a mediation hearing on March 9 and the issues raised were resolved right there and then.

Ms. Almer Masillones, the mediation officer, ably handled the matter.  She explained to the complainant (that’s me) and to the store manager of the respondent supermarket the mediation process and the possible next moves of the DTI after the mediation will have been closed.

The smiling and articulate store manager (I’ll reserve mentioning the name) also ably explained why the lapses happened and was also quick in saying that the matters were already rectified by management.  And I took her word for it.

Because I overpaid almost P80, the store manager offered to refund me the amount. I requested that it be made through a check so I could have it framed and made as a memento. Sadly, the store does not issue checks of this amount.

I told the store manager the complaint I raised is beyond being refunded of the extra payment made but was a means to inform the consumers of certain rights that they or we all must be conscious about when we purchase goods. It is also a means of making retailers fully comply with regulations, the Free Trade Law, Consumers Act, and similar pieces of legislations.

The mediation agreement that was prepared right after the resolution of the complaint reads, “(name of establishment) has already rectified the matter complained of and committed to institute measures to prevent recurrence of the incidents complained of.  The case is considered CLOSED.”

Being vigilant of our rights as individual consumers will ensure that we pay for what we purchase, not a centavo more, not a centavo less.  And we pay for products that are fit for human consumption.

I am also grateful to the store manager of the supermarket for being receptive of the concerns that I raised, and for promptly acting on them.

On the objective side, the incidents will hopefully become inputs for the improvement of the services of the supermarket which will naturally redound to the benefit of the consumers who patronize the establishment. This will then result in increased supermarket patronage because buyers will now be assured the establishment is compliant with regulations.

Thank you, DTI and thanks to the supermarket for the fast action.