Dear Editor,
I sincerely trust that this letter will in some way perk up those at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and goad them into a bit more forceful action to serve and protect consumers, especially those who are daily struggling to earn a dollar.
Too many commodities that are sub-standard are allowed to flood our markets, and the struggling and unsuspecting consumers are the victims of these. As I understand it, it is the duty of the GNBS to be on guard against fake/rejected products which are gobbled up by avaricious hustlers and passed on to consumers.
Very noticeable on the market now is a very inferior type of drop/extension cord, which is a kind of orange colour, 50-100yds in length. It is being sold for $1,500-$3,000 depending on where you make your purchase – the store or the road.
Many of these cords when tested are defective, but when the seller comes up with one that tested positive and you take it home it fails to function. You can’t take it back since you received it in working condition. This is what happened to me; I bought one which was no good, took it back, got it tested but it failed to function when I took it home. It is even worse buying one from itinerant vendors or a ‘spread-out shop’ where they can’t be tested. Whenever these matters are brought to the attention of GNBS it is their duty to get these goods off the market once it is proved they are sub-standard.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe