Wednesday, November 15, 2006 Ledesma: Credit card and lemon wares By Jun Ledesma Sunbursts
I AM quite sure the Department of Trade and Industry is aware of this inequity, however, am also equally certain that the officials concerned are merely idling over this or are just stonewalling this issue, which partakes of a scam.
I am referring to the practice of not a few business establishments that charges six percent over their tag prices when you pay using a credit card.
About two weeks ago I went to this computer shop near Marco Polo Hotel (Davao) to buy my much needed PC peripheral. I handed the cashier my credit card. She hesitated for a moment then said, they will add on 5% more than the price on the items. I cautioned her that I read in a national daily earlier about the onerous practice of adding more than what is on the tag price as this constitutes overpricing. The owner of the establishment intervened and said that that directive will still be effective on November 5.
Then there's this Honda motorcycles distributor firm in Bajada. My wife was supposed to buy a motorcycle worth so much. When she paid with her BPI Card she was advised that they are going to add six percent more to their tag price. What was doubly ironic about it was that it will take them 45 days to release the unit because the documents are still incomplete.
So we transferred to another Honda MC dealer near SM. They too are exacting 6% surcharge and can only release the unit 40 days after.
Back in JP Laurel Avenue last week, we went to another Mindanao-wide distributor of motorcycles, aircons, digicams, tv and other home appliances. We kind of like a motorcycle which cost P45,000. When my wife gave her card, she was told, "ay ma'am na-a ra bay penalty nga six percent pag card ang gamiton."
We told the cashier that it is illegal to add more to their published prices even if one has to pay with a card. A supervisor came to the rescue and advised us that they are still negotiating with their bank to do away with the surcharge.
I don't know whether these merchants are telling the truth but I do hope DTI Director Merly Cruz will give us clear ruling on this issue.
Still on the area that needs the attention of DTI. It's good that the agency warned us of substandard Christmas decors that are proliferating in the market these days. In Metro Manila, officials of DTI seized volumes of goods that are below standard and will likely cause some problems and hazards to users.
But what is this? In a big mall somewhere in the south of this city, some home appliances, which are not actually cheap, have only a one-week guarantee. Others have none at all. Why they grant only a week guarantee defies me. But it only proves only one thing. The product is extremely below standard otherwise the guarantee will not be as short as the wink of an eye.
BTW, I want to personally welcome back our own Red Cross chairman and incumbent Coastguard Auxiliary Commander for Southeastern Mindanao Tony Uy. (He is a one-star General.) This globetrotting Rotarian just returned from his stint in Canada and the US of A where he attended a world convention of the top coastguards. Tony who is also an Eagle (Boy) Scout is an ace mountain climber. He has been in the forefront against the unending battle of drug abuse. Tony might not be in the mold of Kevin Costner in the film "The Guardian" but he can be your life saver just in case. Welcome home.
