Transport sector attracts most consumer complains
17/6/2015 9:58
The transport sector continues to attract the majority of the complaints in Cyprus and in the rest of the EU, according to the findings of a research carried out by the European Consumer Centre (ECC) in Cyprus. The findings were presented Tuesday at a press conference in Nicosia organized by ECC and Solvit network in Cyprus.
The ECC, which celebrates ten years of operation, in 2014 received a total of 181 complaints and examined 460 requests. Of the 181 complaints, 110 came from individuals residing in Cyprus and 71 from consumers residing in the EU.
Forty-seven per cent of the complaints concerned the transport sector, 15% the hotel sector, restaurants etc and 11% were related with other sectors such as clothing and footwear, due to the rapid growth of online shopping.
Consumers usually file complaints for defective products, because they are not happy about the level of service, because there were delays in the delivery of the products or for payments reasons.
ECC Director Elena Papachristoforou said that the Centre`s objective is to promote and support the rights of consumers in cross-border incidents. Both ECC and the Solvit provide consumers with effective ways to resolve disputes out of court.
ECC is trying to raise awareness about the rights of the consumers and to this end is involved in campaigns and European projects and makes great use of Facebook and Twitter to reach the masses. One very useful tool is the ECC Net Travel App.
On behalf of Solvit, Senior Officer of Trade and Industry Minister Christos Solomonidis said that networks were founded in 2002 and since then they have been helping citizens and businesses to resolve their cross-border problems and complaints arising primarily from inadequate implementation of legislation or incorrect application of Community acquis by public authorities (states, municipalities, semi-government and public sector).
Some of the complaints examined refer to social security issues (pensions etc), health care, registration of vehicles, taxation, driving licenses etc.
In 2014 Solvit received 131 complaints . The rate of resolving the issues is estimated to 99% while the EU average is 85%.
The preparation of the complaint usually takes two days and the case is closed in about 43 days (in the EU 73 days are needed).
In the last 11 years Solvit handled 800 complaints. Solvit Centers were visited by 3,5 million citizens across the EU in 2014.
Head of the European Commission in Cyprus George Markopouliotis in his speech said that European consumers enjoy one of the highest levels of protection in the world. But at the same time findings show that citizens do not always know their rights, or they do not feel quite sure of the rules governing online shopping. According to 2012 data, 53% of European citizens and 41% of Cypriots citizens made purchases over the Internet.
He referred to the need for consumers to be provided with the proper information about their rights, recalling that last year the European Commission conducted two campaigns in Cyprus in order to inform the public about the new European Consumer Rights Directive which came into force in 2014.
The ECC, which celebrates ten years of operation, in 2014 received a total of 181 complaints and examined 460 requests. Of the 181 complaints, 110 came from individuals residing in Cyprus and 71 from consumers residing in the EU.
Forty-seven per cent of the complaints concerned the transport sector, 15% the hotel sector, restaurants etc and 11% were related with other sectors such as clothing and footwear, due to the rapid growth of online shopping.
Consumers usually file complaints for defective products, because they are not happy about the level of service, because there were delays in the delivery of the products or for payments reasons.
ECC Director Elena Papachristoforou said that the Centre`s objective is to promote and support the rights of consumers in cross-border incidents. Both ECC and the Solvit provide consumers with effective ways to resolve disputes out of court.
ECC is trying to raise awareness about the rights of the consumers and to this end is involved in campaigns and European projects and makes great use of Facebook and Twitter to reach the masses. One very useful tool is the ECC Net Travel App.
On behalf of Solvit, Senior Officer of Trade and Industry Minister Christos Solomonidis said that networks were founded in 2002 and since then they have been helping citizens and businesses to resolve their cross-border problems and complaints arising primarily from inadequate implementation of legislation or incorrect application of Community acquis by public authorities (states, municipalities, semi-government and public sector).
Some of the complaints examined refer to social security issues (pensions etc), health care, registration of vehicles, taxation, driving licenses etc.
In 2014 Solvit received 131 complaints . The rate of resolving the issues is estimated to 99% while the EU average is 85%.
The preparation of the complaint usually takes two days and the case is closed in about 43 days (in the EU 73 days are needed).
In the last 11 years Solvit handled 800 complaints. Solvit Centers were visited by 3,5 million citizens across the EU in 2014.
Head of the European Commission in Cyprus George Markopouliotis in his speech said that European consumers enjoy one of the highest levels of protection in the world. But at the same time findings show that citizens do not always know their rights, or they do not feel quite sure of the rules governing online shopping. According to 2012 data, 53% of European citizens and 41% of Cypriots citizens made purchases over the Internet.
He referred to the need for consumers to be provided with the proper information about their rights, recalling that last year the European Commission conducted two campaigns in Cyprus in order to inform the public about the new European Consumer Rights Directive which came into force in 2014.
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1275.09
