In the past, people have not always been protected against the suppliers of goods or services. Suppliers misled consumers about the quality of their goods or services or offered goods or services on unreasonable terms and conditions, leaving the consumer with no remedy in the event of a problem occurring with these goods or services. From 1 April 2011, the Consumer Protection Act (“CPA”) provides protection to these consumers against such suppliers.
The CPA applies to an agreement concluded between a consumer and supplier in the ordinary course of business. A consumer buys or uses goods or receives services from a supplier. The supplier sells goods, provides services, and/or advertises his goods or services to the consumer.
Goods are anything that can be consumed or is in writing, for example, food, electricity, toiletries, information, and so on. Services are any work or undertaking to work by one person for the benefit of another, for example, supplying holiday accommodation, education, fixing things, and so on.
These goods or services are exchanged for anything of value, for example, money, property, rights, credit, and so on. For example, John owns a Spar and Kathy visits John’s Spar to buy groceries. John is the supplier of groceries and Kathy the consumer. An agreement was entered into between John and Kathy in the ordinary course of John’s business, selling groceries. Kathy gave John money for these groceries. As a result, the CPA applies to their agreement.
Does the Consumer Protection Act apply to all agreements?
The CPA does not apply to an agreement concluded between a supplier and a consumer if it is:
– the State,
– a business, with an annual turnover of more than R2 million, or owning property worth more than R2 million, at the time of concluding the agreement,
– relating to labour, for example, an employment contract or collective agreement,
– relating to a loan,
– outside of South Africa,
– that is not in the ordinary course of the supplier’s business; or
– if it is exempted by the CPA.
What type of protection does a consumer get from the Consumer Protection Act?
The CPA provides a consumer with rights and the supplier with obligations, such as:
– A supplier may not discriminate against a consumer based on his/her race, gender, and so on.
– A consumer may examine anything before s/he pays for it.
– A supplier must show the price, label, and/or trade description of the goods on his/her packaging. The content may not be misleading.
– A consumer must receive a quote or breakdown of his/her financial obligations before entering into an agreement with a supplier, for example, before a supplier starts repairing his/her motor vehicle or before a supplier installs replacement parts. Do not sign a blank agreement consenting to any unknown repairs or replacements.
– The terms of an agreement to supply goods or services may not be unfair, unreasonable, or unjust; for example, the terms may not only favour the supplier. Such a term or agreement will be void.
– A supplier may not use force or manipulate a consumer to enter into an agreement or to pay for goods or services. A consumer has the right to a receipt after paying the supplier for goods or services.
– An agreement between a consumer and a supplier must be in plain language that is easy to understand. A consumer is entitled to a copy of the agreement.
– A supplier must inform a consumer of, or draw his/her attention to, any assumptions of risks, acknowledgements of facts, or indemnities contained in an agreement. Always read an agreement before signing.
– An agreement between a consumer and supplier may not be longer than 24 months unless the consumer agrees to a longer period and the agreement benefits him/her financially. A consumer must be notified in advance of the agreement reaching its termination date.
– A consumer may cancel an agreement with his/her supplier on 20 business days’ notice.
– Advance bookings or reservations may be cancelled by a consumer. However, the supplier may require such a consumer to pay a reasonable cancellation fee.
– A supplier may not accept money from a consumer if s/he is not able to supply goods or services because of insufficient stock or incapacity to render a service. A consumer must be refunded any amount paid plus interest and compensated for all costs incurred because of the supplier’s overselling or overbooking.
– When a consumer buys goods or receives services from a supplier who approached him/her by mail, in person, e-mail, or SMS, s/he has the right to a cooling-off period. This means that the consumer can return the goods bought or cancel his/her order within 5 days after the date s/he received it or ordered it, without penalty or reason. The supplier must inform the consumer of his/her right to a cooling-off period.
– A consumer may choose whether s/he wants to receive marketing material from a supplier, for example, a consumer may opt out from receiving marketing SMSs or telephone calls, or put a notice in his/her post box to avoid pamphlets.
– A consumer may not be contacted by a supplier to market his/her goods or services during the week, before 08:00 in the morning and after 20:00 in the evening; or during the weekend, before 09:00 in the morning or after 13:00 in the afternoon.
– The representation or marketing of goods or services may not be misleading or false; for example, a supplier may not sell a Honda, 1996 model, as a 1999 model.
– If the goods bought from a supplier are defective (not suitable for their usual purpose or for the purpose for which they were bought, of poor quality, and not in good working order, or not usable or durable), a consumer has 6 months from the date of delivery to return the goods to the supplier, at the supplier’s risk and expense. At the consumer’s choice, the supplier must fix, replace, or refund the goods bought by the consumer. The voetstoots clause no longer applies; this means that a supplier may no longer sell goods “as they are” unless the consumer has been informed of the defects and accepts them.
– If the services rendered by the supplier are of poor quality or not completed in time, the consumer may request that the supplier correct his/her mistakes or request a refund. A refund will depend on the extent of the supplier’s mistake.
What can a consumer do if a supplier fails to comply with the Consumer Protection Act?
– A consumer must lodge a complaint with the supplier, preferably in writing. If the complaint is lodged by telephone, ask for an e-mail address to confirm the conversation about the complaint in writing. Normally, a big business has a department that specifically deals with complaints; it is best to follow the procedure prescribed by that department.
– Before complaining to the supplier, the consumer must know how s/he wants the complaint to be resolved, for example, repairing or exchanging the item bought, by refund or being paid damages. Make copies of all documents in support of the complaint, for example, a tax invoice, quotes, e-mails, and so on.
– Keep records of the date of the complaint, the name of the consultant complained to, the reference number of the complaint, and any other relevant details.
– Follow up on the complaint.
– If the complaint is not resolved by the supplier within a reasonable time period, the consumer may lodge a complaint with the relevant Ombud, industry Ombud, Consumer Goods and Services Ombud, National Consumer Commission, National Consumer Tribunal, an alternative dispute resolution agent, consumer court, or civil court; depending on the type of complaint.
– A complaint must be lodged within 3 years of it occurring. Only a civil court can make an award for damages.