As the holiday shopping season approaches, consumer advocates are issuing their annual list of top consumer complaints.
Car sales and household goods again top the list of consumer complaints across America.
News Specialist Sam Penrod reports.
While most people aren't complaining about driving away a lemon from the lot, they are upset with not getting the financing deal they were promised.
Complaints by consumers burned in transactions over the internet showed up on the nation's top ten list, but in Utah, frustration with the interent ranks number one.
Francine Giani/Division of Consumer Protection: "IT MADE IT ON OUR LIST LAST YEAR, THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME IT MADE OUR LIST, AT ALL AND THIS YEAR IT'S KIND OF RISEN TO THE TOP."
And from the Internet, cyberspace auctions that Utahns either want to sell or buy items on, lead to numerous complaints filed with the state.
Francine Giani/Division of Consumer Protection: "THERE'S NOT A LOT OF CHECK AND BALANCES WITH THOSE AUCTIONS, IT'S KIND OF A BUYER BEWARE SITUATION, YOU GET ON THERE AND ITS UP TO YOU TO SEE THAT IT HAPPENS, ALL THESE COMPANIES REALLY DO IS FACILITATE A PLACE FOR THAT AUCTON TO OCCUR."
Most complaints about household items, such as computers and appliances, involve defective products, problems with warranties, or deceptive advertisting.
And Utahns also frequently complain about telemarketers, especially companies that call back, even if someone asks to be put on their "do not call list."
Sam Penrod/Eyewitness News: "AND WITH THE HOLIDAY SEASON APPROACHING, THE STATE WARNS THOSE WHO ARE GIVING DONATIONS TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW EVERTHING ABOUT THE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION."
Francine Giani/Division of Consumer Protection: "THERE ARE LOTS OF CHARITIES OUT THERE THAT USE A FUNDRAISER AND THAT'S OKAY, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH CHARITIES THAT GIVE A LOT MORE TO THEIR FUNDRAISER THAN TO THE CHARITIABLE PURPOSE."
And consumer advocates insist the best advice for avoiding trouble as a customer is, if the deal appears to be too good to be true, it's probably worth checking out very carefully.
Categories that generated the most complaints in 2000, and the percentage
of agencies that listed each as a major complaint category:
Auto Sales 73%
Household Goods 73%
Home Improvement 70%
Auto Repair 65%
Credit/lending 55%
Collection 25%
Utilities 20%
Internet 15%
Landlord-Tenant 15%
Mail Order 15%
Telemarketing 15%
