During the past year, the Municipal Consumer Information Office (OMIC) of Valdepeñas processed a total of 3,022 demands, of which 407 were complaints and 2,615 inquiries, as evidenced by its annual report, which shows the recovery of a significant economic amount for consumers through the processed complaints.
On the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day, celebrated on March 15, the councilor of Districts and OMIC, Paqui Madrid, recalled this Friday that «more and more people are using this service, in which the City Council invests 57,000 euros annually, so it continues to be in high demand as demonstrated by the number of people who have visited throughout the year, with 2,615 inquiries and 407 complaint files, of which users have recovered 96,607 euros.»
Madrid pointed out that this free service provided by the Valdepeñas City Council is carried out in person, on the first floor of Valcentro, or by phone from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00, addressing cases of defective purchases, problems with basic supplies such as electricity or gas, misleading advertising, or improper charges, among others.
This work in defense of consumer rights translates into the 407 processed complaints, as detailed by the municipal officer of OMIC in Valdepeñas, Ana Moya, noting that the electrical energy sector is the one with the highest number of complaints, accounting for 33.16% and 135 proceedings.
In addition to the electricity sector, complaints are followed by contracts and guarantees at 28%, telecommunications at 18.42%, banks at 7.86%, insurance at 3.43%, and others such as gas or water at 9.09%. Moya also pointed out that warranty inquiries have increased significantly, especially for second-hand vehicles. Finally, it is worth noting the annual campaigns carried out by the OMIC of Valdepeñas, such as talks on energy saving in senior centers, informational campaigns on Black Friday or Christmas, or training activities with housewives associations.