As is the end-of-year tradition, the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) has released its list of companies that received the most complaints in Quebec.
The office counted 21,533 complaints between November 25, 2019 and November 24, 2020, according to a report obtained by Narcity Québec.
Across all consumer sectors, used car, major household appliance and furniture retailers are at the top of the list of complaints.
They alone account for nearly one-third of the complaints filed.
These complaints, however, do not mean "that the merchant is incompetent or dishonest," says the OPC.
"It is also important to consider the size of the business, the volume of transactions it carries out and its date of registration with the Registraire des enterprises."
Editor's Choice: An Old-Timey Christmas Village With 25,000 Lights Opened 1 Hour From Montreal (PHOTOS)
Brault & Martineau
Once again this year, the retail business is at the top of the list with 445 complaints.
Nature of complaints:
"Quality of a good or service;"
"Delivery, non-compliance of a good or service or quality of customer service."
Best Buy
Martial Genest | DreamstimeThe company was the subject of 308 complaints in 2020.
Nature of complaints:
"Quality of a good or service;"
"Delivery, non-compliance of a good or service or quality of customer service;"
"Deceptive or unfair practice."
The Brick
"Brick is Unbeatable"... except in the area of complaints. In 2020, the retail business had 272 complaints.
Nature of complaints:
"Quality of a good or service, including the non-availability of parts;"
"Delivery, non-compliance of a good or service or quality of customer service."
Walmart
Jerome Cid | DreamstimeIt seems that some customers did not appreciate their service this year, as the company went from tenth place to fourth with 265 complaints.
Nature of complaints:
"Delivery, non-compliance of a good or service or quality of customer service;"
"Deceptive or unfair practice;"
"Quality of a good or service."
Vidéotron
Unlike last year, Quebecor's company surpassed its main competitor, Bell Canada, with its fifth-place ranking and 231 complaints.
Nature of complaints:
"Delivery, non-conformity of a good or service or quality of customer service;"
"Contract: Content, payment, cancellation, modification or interpretation;"
"Deceptive or unfair practice."
Whirlpool Canada
The appliance manufacturer remains in sixth place with 230 complaints.
Nature of complaints:
"Quality of a good or service."
Samsung Electronics Canada
Mobile phones, washers, dryers, TVs: the electronics manufacturer was the subject of 207 complaints.
Nature of complaints:
"Quality of a good or service"
Bell Canada
Jerome Cid | DreamstimeThe Canadian telecommunications company goes from third to eighth place, this time for 193 complaints.
Nature of complaints:
"Delivery, non-compliance of a good or service or quality of customer service;"
"Contract: content, payment, cancellation, modification or interpretation;"
"Invoicing or debt collection;"
"Deceptive or unfair practice."
Meubles RD
New to the list in 2020, the discount retail business makes its debut with 193 complaints.
Nature of complaints:
"Delivery, non-compliance of a good or service or quality of customer service;"
"Quality of a good or service."
This article was originally published in French on Narcity Québec.