Zimbabwe's consumer watchdog is telling shoppers to watch their backs this holiday season because sketchy contracts are everywhere. The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe says businesses are pushing agreements loaded with hidden fees, surprise price changes, and clauses that basically let companies do whatever they want without asking. Rosemary Mpofu, who runs the CCZ, pointed out that people have extra cash from bonuses right now, and shady retailers know it. She warned that fake bargains are flooding the market, with stores jacking up prices, selling knockoffs, and pushing underweight products on anyone not paying attention.
The council became an official arbitration body under some recent regulations, so it can actually help resolve disputes. Mthokozisi Nkosi from the Chartered Institute of Customer Relations Management backed up the warnings, saying scammers are going hard with counterfeit electronics, expired food, and bogus health products. Both groups told shoppers to read the fine print, ignore any store claiming they don't do returns or refunds, and compare prices before buying anything. Anyone getting scammed can report it through the CCZ hotline or their social media accounts.
The council became an official arbitration body under some recent regulations, so it can actually help resolve disputes. Mthokozisi Nkosi from the Chartered Institute of Customer Relations Management backed up the warnings, saying scammers are going hard with counterfeit electronics, expired food, and bogus health products. Both groups told shoppers to read the fine print, ignore any store claiming they don't do returns or refunds, and compare prices before buying anything. Anyone getting scammed can report it through the CCZ hotline or their social media accounts.
