THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has warned consumers of several marketing schemes or business practice that are aimed at deceiving unwary individuals.
DTI Central Luzon said in an advisory that several businesses are now engaging in marketing activities that are in violation of the Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
The agency noted of the schemes that would usually include offering of free products or even facial services or body massage to attract prospective buyers and mall-goers to enter into a transaction.
“A sales associate or agent, who sometimes is foreign looking, would aggressively persuade or entice or even pressure the customer in buying the product at a discounted price, to the point of inquiring if the customer has debit or credit cards, sometimes even to the extent of asking the cards to be handed over to them,” DTI warned.
Moreover, after prolonged persuasion or enticement, said agents will then take advantage of the lack of time and the general condition of the environment to immediately swipe the card of the customer for the product being offered.
DTI added that products being sold by guilty businesses do not have price tags, thus, consumers have no means of validating if the price is right, as well as is if it is really discounted.
“We advised public to take precautionary measures and exercise diligence and prudence in dealing with business entities and establishments to avoid falling victim to said schemes,” the DTI advisory noted.