Minister of Commerce Pekcan stated that 545 thousand 237 applications were made to consumer arbitration committees in 2019 and disputes worth 546 million 50 thousand 537 lira were evaluated, and that approximately 61 percent of the decisions were concluded in favor of the consumer.
Minister of Commerce Ruhsar Pekcan told the AA correspondent that consumer arbitration committees resolve disputes between consumers, sellers and providers in a cost-free, fast and easy way, without being reflected in court.
Stating that the committees have decided more than 14 million applications since their establishment in 1995, taking a significant workload off the judiciary and encouraging consumers to seek their rights, Pekcan stated that the delegation’s decisions prevented consumers from suffering.
Pekcan stated that 545 thousand 237 applications were made to consumer arbitration committees by citizens last year and 541 thousand 770 decisions were made, and said, “Approximately 61 percent of them were concluded in favor of the consumer. Our consumer arbitration committees evaluated the disputes amounting to 546 million 50 thousand 537 liras in total.” said.
Explaining that they inform both consumers and merchants about consumer rights in order to prevent possible grievances of consumers, Pekcan said, “We use all kinds of tools and platforms to increase the awareness of our citizens about consumer rights. We broadcast public service announcements, print booklets, posters and brochures, hold meetings with the sector and consumer organizations, “We organize workshops and seminars.” he said.
Pekcan also called on consumers and noted that they should be conscious and courageous in seeking their rights and should not refrain from seeking their rights.
The most complaints are in the shoe group
Pekcan explained that last year, when evaluated on a product and service basis, consumers applied to consumer arbitration committees mostly about shoes with 70 thousand 698, this group consisted of mobile phones with 62 thousand 110, loan allocation fees (file costs) with 41 thousand 707, loans with 31 thousand 547. He said that the card membership fee was followed by internet subscription disputes with 25 thousand 157.
Pekcan stated that when looking at the sectoral distribution, retail trade ranked first with 265 thousand 431 applications last year, followed by financial services with 122 thousand 659, subscription services with 71 thousand 558, transportation, health, education services with 19 thousand 417, 5 thousand applications. He reported that tourism services followed with 682.
Pekcan also stated that they carry out legal, physical and technical studies for consumer arbitration committees, and noted that as a result of these activities, they reduced the average decision-making time in 2019 from the legal period of 6 months to approximately 3 months.
Ease of application via e-Government and Alo 175 Consumer Advisory Line
Pointing out that they offer solutions to the problems faced by consumers with the “Alo 175 Consumer Information Line” they created within the Ministry, Pekcan underlined that consumers can report products and companies that pose risks to human health, life and property safety on this line.
Pekcan reminded citizens that they provided the opportunity to apply to consumer arbitration committees via e-government in 2017, and that 97 thousand 791 applications were made to consumer arbitration committees via e-Government in 2018.
Stating that the number of applications reached 137 thousand 731 last year and approximately 25 percent of the total applications were made through e-Government, Pekcan said, “The ease of application through e-Government is increasingly adopted by citizens every year. Both consumers, business people and “We are constantly improving the technological infrastructure in the Ministry’s systems to facilitate the business and transactions of our exporters.” said.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/her-5-tuketiciden-3u-sikayetinde-hakli-cikti/1700126
