Consumer rights in our county are handled by Waldemar Sawicki, who has been the County Consumer Ombudsman in Bolesławiec for seven years. The ombudsman safeguards consumer rights. He advises and provides information. He helps prepare submissions and court lawsuits. So far, he has refused to help only one person (who, incidentally, was using the services of a legal counsel). Last year, he provided more than 1,500 consultations. He offers advice both in person, at his office in the County Office, and by telephone. As he says, it is not only consumers who ask for advice. It also happens that entrepreneurs call him. He has considerable achievements—90% of the cases he handled were resolved in favor of consumers.
The ombudsman admits that consumers often have trouble understanding basic concepts such as a complaint, a guarantee or statutory warranty. Sometimes they confuse them. People do not realize that not every contract can be canceled. It also happens that clients come to Sawicki with matters beyond his competence, or mistake the consumer ombudsman's office for the ombudsman for citizens' rights office. Nevertheless, he tries to help everyone. As he says: “You have to know where to refer the client. Show them the shorter route to achieving their goal.”
Waldemar Sawicki does not limit himself to official duties. He tries to educate citizens and promote the knowledge he possesses. In previous years, precisely on March 15, because World Consumer Rights Day is observed on that date, he distributed materials to schools and other institutions explaining what rights consumers have. He is also the author of studies in this field. He gives interviews. He accepts invitations from schools to meetings devoted to consumer rights. Asked why he decided to take on such a role in public life, he says: “I like what I do. It is pleasant to help people who need help, especially those who cannot afford it.”
When we asked whether he would celebrate today's occasion in any special way, he said he had no such plans. For him, it was “a normal day of work for the ombudsman.”
(information www.powiatboleslawiecki.pl)