The Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) has named and shamed businesses that who failed to follow its recommendations. Releasing the CGSO's annual report in Johannesburg on Wednesday‚ ombudsman Neville Melville said that a small percentage of businesses did not cooperate with the CGSO or comply with its recommendations.Use law to your benefitIn approximately six percent of cases‚ businesses failed to cooperate with the CGSO's processes‚ Melville said.Imposters and 'em dodgy folkAmong the 2 192 cases the CGSO closed in its 2015/2016 financial year‚ two businesses failed to follow the ombudsman's recommendations‚ the report said.Furniture removal company S&S Cartage transported goods which were damaged during the journey and refused to accept responsibility‚ saying that the complainant had not taken out insurance on the transportation of the goods.Pet shop Pets Galore and Grooming Parlour sold a customer a parrot that had a contagious disease and needed to be put down not long after its purchase. According to the pet shop the bird was sold in good health‚ but considering the incubation period of the virus‚ the bird must have contracted it before it was sold.In both cases the ombudsman held the businesses liable but the businesses did not reimburse the client.The ombudsman's rulings are not binding and he cannot impose sanctions on businesses but those who refuse to cooperate with the process or follow recommendations may be referred to the National Consumer Commission for action to be taken against them.Head of Consumer Goods Industry Affairs Patricia Pillay warned businesses against not cooperating with the ombudsman.She said that consumers are empowered by social media and that dealing with a case at the ombudsman's office as opposed to having it aired online could save businesses possible reputational damage.In 69% of the cases dealt with in the last year‚ consumers received all or part of what was claimed‚ Melville said.Between March 2015 and February 2016 a total of 3 495 cases was opened by the CGSO‚ of which 1 303 have not yet been finalised.It took the ombudsman on average 57 days to close cases in the past year.Five companies had more than 100 complaints recorded against them‚ with cellphone service provider MTN leading the pack with 613 complaints. Furniture retailer JD Group‚ cellphone company Vodacom‚ supermarket group Shoprite and furniture store Lewis rounded out the top five.The CGSO ascribed the high number of complaints against MTN to the strike at the company during the year...