Consumer Services

Consumer Services Passes the Bucks Back to You

Spending money is easy. Getting it back after you experience a problem with a purchase, however, can be quite the ordeal. The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department works on your behalf to get consumer refunds or credits where they are due, and it's all for free.

In 2009, the department helped consumers recoup more than one million dollars in reimbursements for the third year in a row, resolving 5,373 complaints. Although that's great news for consumers, the department wants the public to be aware of the top complaints for the year so they can avoid potential marketplace issues.

Topping the list for 2009 was motor vehicle repair complaints for the third year in a row, with 745 complaints The most notable increases in complaints from the previous year consisted of mail order -- up 293%, Internet -- up 252% and medical issues -- up 96%. Significant decreases in complaints were seen in furniture and cable-related issues.

Towing was the fourth most-cited problem. To deter would-be violators, the department headed 28 investigations into illegal towing activities and collaborated with several law enforcement agencies for special operations, netting 206 citations, $64,407 in fines and $9,400 in Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) agreements to correct mistakes. 

Those who seek mediation services rely on the Consumer Services Department's in-house experts to navigate through the difficult channels of communication with businesses to reach a satisfactory resolution. To register a complaint or receive general information on consumer issues, log on to the Consumer Services Department website at www.miamidade.gov/csd or call 305-375-3677. Remember, it is always a good idea to inquire about a company's service history prior to doing business with them.

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