During the first 8 months of this year, there were 490,876 applications to the consumer arbitration boards, resulting in the resolution of 494,114 disputes totaling 4.3 billion TL, including carried over cases. Complaints regarding shoes topped the list with 66,836 applications.

According to information from the Ministry of Trade, consumer arbitration boards serve as an extrajudicial decision-making body to resolve conflicts between consumers and sellers or providers fairly, quickly, simply, and with minimal costs.

Consumer arbitration boards, which significantly reduce the workload of the judicial system, also accept applications via e-Government.

The number of applications made to the consumer arbitration boards in the first 8 months of this year reached 490,876.

Along with carried over cases, the boards resolved 494,114 disputes without involving the judiciary.

Approximately 67% of this year’s applications were made electronically through e-Government. CREDIT CARD MEMBERSHIP FEES IN SECOND PLACE When evaluating applications to the consumer arbitration boards by product and service, complaints related to shoes ranked first with 13.6% (66,836 applications).

Looking at other complained about products and services, complaints regarding credit card membership fees ranked second with 5.4% (26,665 applications). Following credit card membership fees were clothing complaints at 5.01% (24,630 applications) and cellphone complaints at 4.1% (20,369 applications).

Among the applications, furniture complaints accounted for 3.9% (19,484 applications), internet subscriptions for 3.2% (15,959 applications), and GSM subscriptions at 2.6% (12,953 applications).

In terms of sectors, during the same period, the highest number of applications were in the “retail trade” sector with 59.52% (292,203 applications). This was followed by applications in the “financial services” sector at 10.67% (52,392 applications) and the “subscription services” sector at 9.01% (44,261 applications).