Experts from the Economy Ministry (MEIC) will visit five shopping centers in the greater metropolitan area to give advice on consumer rights during the holiday shopping season.
The main objective of the campaign – called Open Doors – is to inform consumers of their rights in the shopping centers, explained Daniel Vartanian, advisor to the MEIC’s Consumer Support Department.
As an example, the department recommends making a budget before you go shopping, and asking for receipts.
MEIC counselors will provide tips for “smart holiday shopping” and also will encourage consumers to not spend more than they can afford. In addition, they will receive complaints from stores.
“Most of the problems we have seen were due to a lack of evidence to make claims,” said Vartanian. “[People] lose the receipts …or they don’t have a written guarantee.”
Counselors will be available Thursday at the mall Paseo de las Flores in Heredia and Friday in the mall Multicentro in Desamparados (South San José), from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
