Sunday, August 09, 2009

Supermarket Trickery

Very often, we encountered the situation where offer items and non-offer items were place together on the supermarket shelves. Sometimes, their illegible handwriting was so confusing that you can't even read what was written! I was in a certain supermarket on 19th July and overheard a woman complaining bitterly about the ice cream on offer.
She took the ice cream from this ice box only to find that they were not for 99 cents. Although 99 cents were written everywhere! The attendance said that the offer item had been sold out!
I was in Australia many years ago. I picked a piece of merchandise from a basket for a certain amount. On check out, I found that the item was actually of a different price. I just said "I thought this item is for $xxx?". The cashier asked where I got it and without a second question, she clocked in the amount displayed. I later found that the item was supposed to be from a higher priced basket!
In Malaysia, our consumer's right in this case seem to be non existence or am I just being ignorant?

Note: From the comments from readers, it seems that we didn't stand up fopr our right! So, dear reader, please be assertive next time. Don't say "never mind". Make a fuss out of it if you are right!

9 comments:

William said...

True. I am very annoyed with those "tricks". Do you also know that bigger "economy" pack is not necessarily cheaper?

Kong said...

One of the problem in Malaysia is that the consumer never wanted to stand up for their right. Since many don't, the retailer continue to take them for a ride. Who's fault is it? I reckon the consumer is partly to blame.

flower said...

It happened to me too a few months back in a hypermarket. I picked up a packet of nestle milo cereal on the shelf priced RM13.50. I went to make payment at the cashier and scanned RM15.90. It cost more than what I expected. I asked the cashier why the price was different. Then she said to me that was the offer price which they haven't put back the retail price. I was reluctant to buy at that moment but seeing so many customers queuing up after me and to cause them less trouble, I paid the bill and walked off with anger.

garrylin said...

This is totally unreasonable... IT is the supermarket's duly duty to change the price tag IMMEDIATELY and offer apology to the customer for the mistake! Gee... This is a violation to the CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 1999 Section 12

"Section 12 : Misleading Indication As To Price
1. A person commits an offence –
a. if he gives to a consumer an indication which is misleading as to the price at
which any goods or services are available; or

b. if an indication given by him to a consumer as to the price at which any goods or
services are available becomes misleading and he fails to take reasonable steps
to prevent the consumer from relying on the indication."

Well.. the fact that in Msia.. our people are not well aware of the consumer protection we have... nevertheless, for those who are educated couldn't care less to lodge a report to the tribunal... AND Even if those who made it to report it to the tribunal, many reports would go unnoticed after a period of time...

This is MALAYSIA TRULY ASIA

William said...

Kong: I think the problem is not knowing how to stand up for our right! Any suggestion? You start a movement in Sibu and I start one here.
Consumer is ignorant...

Master: Wah... free! So good.

Flower: I don't care about the queue. I still return. It happened before so many times and will continue!

William said...

Garrylin: Where did you get that piece of information. I want to know all about it! time to take action.

garrylin said...

It's all over the place... i studied this in my Marketing Law.. (Though the cases i studied were Australian Cases) the fact that most Commonwealth countries shares some commonalities in law...

However what i have quoted can be found in Consumer Protection Act 1999 (reprint 2001) You may Google it.. they are available copies for EVERYONE to download online...

Hope to see some actions.. hahaha... BUT make sure, u have some proofs to it beforehand. like receipts, pictures, alibi and so forth... hahaha... All the best!

*nevertheless, i am not an expertise in this area... All that i have mentioned are just for discussion. :) If you want further advise, i would recommend you to find a licensed law practitioner to have a clearer picture...

Kong said...

I do stand up for my right, many times.

I was once issued numerous lawyer demand letters from Telekom. I went to lodge a police report on attempted extortion and even have small claim court document ready until Telekom dropped their extortionist demand.

I have also gotten my 1+ yrs old car engine replaced with a brand new engine.....

In fact, I have done it so many times that my friends said I should have been a lawyer.

William said...

Kong: Ya, I think you should be a lawyer! hahaha... wrong line lah!

Master: hahaha...