Report on ACR Virtual Meeting on Challenges and Solutions when shopping for Christmas during COVID 19 pandemic

The ACR, Malta held a virtual Meeting on Challenges and Solutions when shopping for Christmas during COVID 19 pandemic on Tuesday 1 December 2020

The aims of the virtual meeting were to encourage consumers to be more empowered when shopping locally and teleshopping by becoming more familiar with their rights and how to deal with the retailer/seller to reach an amicable agreement. It also aimed to help consumers to be smart in online cross border shopping, especially at Christmas time and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pauline Azzopardi, ACR President, who chaired the Meeting, gave a comprehensive introduction on the role and initiatives of the Association.

Section 1 Guest Speaker Phyllis Bezzina MCCAA Director (Complaints and Conciliation) Complaints and Conciliation Directorate Office for Consumer Affairs gave a very useful presentation on ‘What are my rights and duties when shopping directly or Teleshopping for goods and services?’ Consumers encounter several issues when Shopping Locally or Teleshopping for goods or services.

Section 2 Guest Speaker, Grace Stivala MCCAA Director General (Consumer Affairs) Office for Consumer Affairs gave a presentation on Cross Border Online shopping – be a smart consumer for Christmas during COVID 19 pandemic, which addressed several issues that consumers come across in particular during the Christmas season

This was followed by questions from the floor.

The webinar was brought to an end by the Chair, Pauline Azzopardi who thanked the guest speakers for their very useful and interesting presentations.

The presentations of the guest speakers were sent to the participants together with an evaluation sheet for comments on the virtual meeting

We thank Cynthia Busuttil and Catherine Polidano who prepared an attractive flyer advertising the event ACR FB. We thank all members of the Executive Committee who worked as a team for the success of the Zoom Meeting.