The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has warned spaza shop owners against adding undisclosed charges
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has warned spaza shop owners against adding undisclosed charges when customers pay by card, saying consumers must be protected from unexpected costs at the till.
The warning comes as some shoppers report being charged an extra R2, R5 or even R10 when using a card to buy everyday essentials. The practice has raised concerns about consumer rights, particularly in poorer communities where many residents rely on spaza shops for basic groceries and use bank cards to make payments.
The consumer watchdog said suppliers must comply with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and ensure that consumers are given clear information about the prices they will pay.
"From a strictly legal standpoint, the argument is open and shut. The Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) and the National Consumer Commission (NCC) have indicated that charging consumers additional undisclosed fees for card payments contravenes consumer protection principles and merchant service agreements," the NCC said.
