ARMENIAN CONSUMERS READY TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.02.2009 16:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Launched on Jan 1, 2009 Winning Ticket checking
machine lottery had a positive effect on consumer protection process,
Head of State Committee for Consumer Protection, Abgar Yegoyan told
a news conference today.

"The lottery was organized to support to Public Revenue
Committee. According to article 16 of RA Consumer Protection
Law effective from 2001, if sold defective products, consumers
are entitled to claim either of the following: product repair
or pecuniary compensation; product price reduction; product
replacement; alternative product replacement with price recalculation;
termination of purchase and sale agreement entitling the consumer
to compensation for injuries caused by defective product. Thus, for
example, even low-cost foodstuffs can harm the consumer’s health or
cause poisoning. So, to be able defend their rights, it’s absolutely
necessary for consumers to claim their CMT checks," he said.

Abgar Yegoyan also mentioned that defective products can be replaced
during 14 days within the purchase if the product in question wasn’t
used, the original packaging was retained and if the customer can
produce a CMT ticket.

Products not subject to replacement are: personal care products,
knitted wear, plastic food containers, perfumery, medicines, home
appliances, cars, precious and semi-precious metals, stones and stones
and stone products, animals and plants.

Abgar Yegoyan is confident that Armenian consumers are ready to defend
their rights. Thus, last year 880 consumer claims were registered,
and 80 percent of claims were satisfied. On the opposite side, he
added, the vendors are addressing us demanding to resolve differences.

State Committee for Consumer Protection is also ready to consult
businessman on Consumer Protection legislation.

The state lottery aims at reduction of shady turnover and rising
of consumer rights awareness among Armenian population. SMT lottery
fund totaled AMD 15 million ($ 376 700) to be distributed among 10
000 winners. At present 45 000 SMT are installed at sale points in
Armenia. The first drawing was held on Feb 6.