The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminded consumers in to exercise caution when participating in sales promotions offered by various businesses.
Given the surge of enticing offers and discounts, especially during this holiday season, consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant and ensure that promotional activities are legitimate and comply with fair trade laws.
It said that to confirm a promotion’s legitimacy, consumers should check the advertisement if it contains the mandatory phrase: “Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No.____”; specific promo duration; and presence of a DTI representative to supervise during raffle draws.
It said that for promo discounts, the presence of old or regular price tag should be evident. Prizes or freebies that fall under the list of mandatory certification scheme should have product standard (PS) or import commodity clearance (ICC) markings.
The permit number indicates that the DTI officially approved the sales promo permit.
“Promotional activities without this declaration should be reported to the concerned government agencies: the DTI for consumer products; the Department of Agriculture for agricultural products; the Department of Health for food, drugs, medicines, and medical devices; and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for wood and other forest products,” the agency said.
DTI Region 11 director Romeo Castañaga also urged the public to be careful in online sales promotions especially on social media as reviews and testimonials can be faked.
“There are social media pages that somehow copy the names of famous brands or shops. They offer products at hard-to-believe low prices. If the offer is too good to be true, be more vigilant. Scrutinize the post and the page behind it. Most importantly, report it to avoid victimizing others,” Castañaga said.
“While sales promos are exciting opportunities to save, we urge consumers to be vigilant. A little caution can go a long way in avoiding scams and ensuring a safe shopping experience,” he said.
