Shelf Tags vs. POS: What Are Consumers’ Rights?
Given the economic challenges we face today, it is not uncommon for Filipino families to carefully monitor their spending in order to stay within budget.
While grocery shopping, you keep track of your purchases by entering prices into your calculator, choosing only the items you need, and checking shelf tags to ensure they fit within your family’s budget.
However, by the time you reach the cashier, the total amount on your calculator differs from the amount reflected in the point-of-sale (POS) system, requiring you to pay more than what you originally calculated. As a result, your family’s budget is exceeded.
Now, you may be wondering whether this is allowed.
Under the Consumer Act, it is unlawful to sell a retail consumer product without an appropriate price tag. Additionally, these products cannot be sold at a price higher than that indicated on the tag.
Republic Act No. 71, as amended by Republic Act No. 1074, provides that all retail articles must: (1) be publicly displayed; (2) have appropriate tags or labels indicating their prices; and (3) be sold at the price stated on the tag, without discrimination among buyers.
Recommended Actions
Take a photo of the product, shelftag, and if possible, barcode.
Take a photo of the receipt.
Take note of the establishment branch, date, time, and cashier lane number.
Escalate the complaint to the cashier’s manager.
If the company or establishment does not act on the complaint, you may proceed with filing a petition or letter-complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Procedure for Filing a Complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry
File a petition or letter-complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry.
A Notice of Hearing, together with a copy of the complaint, shall be served upon the parties, informing them of the date, time, and place of the hearing.
The parties shall submit to the Consumer Arbitration Officer their statements of facts, arguments, offers of settlement, or proposals for adjustment.
The Consumer Arbitration Officer shall exert efforts to amicably settle the dispute between the parties.
If no settlement is reached, the Consumer Arbitration Officer may proceed to formally investigate, hear, and decide the case.
After the Consumer Arbitration Officer issues a decision, a party may appeal that decision to the Secretary of DTI.
Sanctions
After investigation, the following sanctions, among others, may be imposed:
The issuance of a cease-and-desist order specifying the acts that the respondent must cease and desist from;
The acceptance of a voluntary assurance of compliance or discontinuance from the respondent; or
The imposition of administrative fines in such amount as may be deemed reasonable by the Secretary, which shall in no case be less than Five Hundred Pesos (Php500.00) nor more than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php300,000.00), depending on the gravity of the offense, plus an additional fine of not more than One Thousand Pesos (Php1,000.00) for each day that the violation continues.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, this article may not reflect the most current legal developments or interpretations. Readers are encouraged to consult with a legal counsel for advice regarding their specific legal issues or concerns. The authors and publishers of this article disclaim any liability for actions taken or not taken based on the content of this article.
