Selling online without invoices or receiving goods that are not as advertised will be fined.

The Department of Competition and Consumer Protection (Ministry of Industry and Trade) has just reported on violations in e-commerce transactions in Vietnam.

In 2017, the growth rate of e-commerce is assessed to continue at a high level. For the online retail sector, information from thousands of e-commerce websites shows that the revenue growth rate in 2017 increased by 35%, indirect surveys through a number of leading delivery businesses show that the revenue growth rate from delivery services is from 62% to 200%.

Regarding the payment sector, according to information from the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS), in 2017 the number of domestic online card transactions increased by about 50% compared to 2016 while the transaction value increased by 75%.

However, this form of shopping also poses many risks to consumers. In essence, this is not a direct form of shopping, consumers cannot directly see and hold the product to evaluate the shape, color and quality of the product. Therefore, the first risk that consumers encounter is that the goods received are not the same as advertised.

Selling goods without origin, without invoice, or receiving goods not as advertised will be punished.

The origin of the product is also an issue. Online shopping is done electronically, and through this method, consumers cannot determine the origin of the goods. All transactions are based on trust, so when encountering an unreliable seller, consumers will be at risk of buying fake or poor quality goods.

In addition, online shopping cannot lack delivery service. In some cases, consumers will face risks regarding delivery time (slow delivery); received goods are broken or damaged; lost goods; can only open and view goods after payment, etc.

This Department affirmed that through the practice of receiving and resolving feedback and complaints at state management agencies as well as social organizations on consumer protection, e-commerce is a new shopping method, attracting a large number of consumers but also has many shortcomings.

Accordingly, the Department said it has received many complaints and feedback from users when shopping online.

The first,provide false transaction information

The product received is not the same as advertised in terms of appearance, features, functions, and specifications. For example, a consumer orders a 256GB USB but receives a 128GB USB.

False information about the origin of goods, some organizations and individuals sell goods that do not have origin or come from countries other than the advertised countries, goods of Chinese origin but information that they are Japanese or American goods.

False price information, businesses post false prices to attract consumers. However, in reality, there are no goods or very few goods for sale at the advertised price.

Violations in providing information by business organizations and individuals may be punished according to Article 66 of Decree 185/2013/ND-CP dated November 15, 2013 of the Government regulating administrative sanctions for violations in commercial activities, production, trading of counterfeit and prohibited goods and protection of consumer rights: Violations in providing information about goods and services to consumers.

Monday,The seller did not provide an invoice.

Failure to provide invoices not only shows that business organizations and individuals do not seriously fulfill their tax obligations to the state, but it also makes consumers lack grounds and basis when they want to complain.

Violations of transaction documents by business organizations and individuals may be subject to warnings or fines according to Article 77 of Decree 185/2013/ND-CP dated November 15, 2013 of the Government regulating administrative sanctions for violations in commercial activities, production and trading of counterfeit and prohibited goods and protection of consumer rights: Violations of providing transaction evidence.

In addition, the Department of Competition and Consumer Protection also received many complaints about customers being delivered missing promotional items, damaged items that were not returned, late deliveries, orders being canceled without reason, etc. Many consumers complained about receiving broken or damaged items, but organizations and individuals refused or blamed the consumers or the shipping unit.

These acts may be punished according to Article 80 of Decree 185/2013/ND-CP dated November 15, 2013 of the Government regulating administrative sanctions for violations in commercial activities, production, trading of counterfeit and prohibited goods and protection of consumer rights: Other violations in relations with customers and consumers.

In particular, this Department warns about the risk level from fraudulent organizations and individuals in e-commerce transactions. Specifically, consumers' rights are most clearly violated when transacting with organizations and individuals with fraudulent intentions, especially through social networks such as Facebook, Zalo... Consumers only contact by phone or through social networking sites. After paying, consumers do not receive the goods or receive goods that are completely different from the advertisement.

"Bought a phone but received a box containing a brick. After the sale, the seller immediately blocked the buyer's phone and Facebook. Even when a large number of consumers complained or the management agency got involved, the seller immediately deleted the phone number and Facebook account," said the Competition Department.