Buy quality products, look for the warranty – DTI VI

Be wary in buying your merchandise.

“The best way to get value for money is buying quality products. One should not only look for the price tag, but also the quality of the product you are buying,” advised DTI VI Trade Development Division Chief Felisa Judith Degala. 

Consumers must be responsible and discerning when it comes to the quality and price of the merchandise, Degala said. A consumer has the right to inspect the item before purchase, she added.

While it is not true that all low-priced items are of inferior quality, an extremely low -priced item compared to the similar items can be a good indicator. To avoid being deceived, shop around and compare quality and price and ask questions.

Authentic and brand new units have warranty against hidden defects from the manufacturer or supplier. Second hand items, as a general rule, have no implied warranty as to its fitness for the purpose intended, at least when it is subject to inspection at the time of sale.

Last year, bulk of the complaints lodged involved violations of RA 7394 or Consumer Act of the Philippines. Complaints on product and service warranty in cellular phones has the highest percentage of consumer complaints.

In buying cellular phones for instance, the buyer should look for the warranty card issued by the manufacturer. It is also important that the unit is purchased from an authorized distributor or network provider or sub-dealers, otherwise the warranty is not enforceable.

To avail of the warranty on the unit, the same must be an authorized set - proof of purchase, serial number or equivalent to the manufacturer’s and seal or sticker of the distributor. Fake units and units that did not pass through the legal channels have no warranty, thus, in this case the buyer bears the loss.

DTI VI OIC-Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon urged the public to be mindful of the products they buy to ensure quality and within standards.