In 2024, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) received 27,549 complaints and signals from citizens. For the most part, they concern consumer rights when purchasing certain types of products from internet sites, complaints about goods, contracts concluded with mobile operators, complaints related to services provided by banks or in connection with contracts for the so-called. "quick loans", presentations at homes or in hotels for the purpose of purchasing goods, etc.
This was said in an interview with BTA by the Chairperson of the Bulgarian Consumers' Confederation, Maria Filipova, who was contacted on the occasion of today's World Consumer Rights Day, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.
"I take this opportunity to once again draw attention to the fact that consumers can best protect themselves by being careful and informing themselves in advance about the conditions under which they conclude contracts with traders. To be a little more suspicious of promises of miraculous goods or branded ones at unrealistically low prices," she pointed out.
Filipova recalled that, first of all, consumers have the right to an informed choice. This means that before purchasing a product or using a service, they must have sufficient information to allow them to choose the best application for them, without being unpleasantly surprised later by hidden circumstances that could have been foreseen.
Consumers also have the right to use safe goods and services, which is ensured by the Consumer Protection Commission together with other state bodies. They have the right to protection against unfair commercial practices applied to them. Last year, 269 different practices applied by traditional and online traders in various market sectors - tourist services, food and non-food products, electronic communications services, in distance sales and outside retail outlets were banned, she pointed out.
With the increasingly widespread distance trading, consumers have the right, without giving any explanation, to return the purchased goods and cancel the contract within 14 days. They have the right to file a complaint when they purchase a product or use a service that does not comply with the agreement with the trader. Consumers have the right to request free repair, replacement of the product, price reduction or refund of the amount paid. It is important to keep the document certifying the purchase or use of the service, the chairman of the Consumer Protection Commission also explained.