Dear Editor, 

I refer to the “opinion” piece by Stephen Mugubire in the Samoa Observer 17th August 2016. I agree completely with the content unfortunately some local businesses are not good at servicing the public.

I can show an example of what I would call a complete rip off. On 17th August I purchased 14 pieces of 1x8x16 timber from a company at Saleufi at a discounted price of $460.70 tala. 

I needed the timber to be planed to weatherboard sitting (rustic) so I took it to a company at Vaitele to do that for me.  I was quoted $672 so I disputed that when it was well in excess of the purchase price.

Finally they agreed to charge me $370. I went ahead with the job but I told them that the cost was excessive for what was involved. It averaged out at $26.42 per piece.  So why would a local person not go to a foreign investor-owned business that may offer a better price structure than a locally-owned business?

This example shows there should be legislation in place to protect the public from this type of thing.  I support competition – anything to give the public a fair deal 

Sa Leutele 

Apaula Heights