The "comparative balance" model needs to be replicated.

(Baonghean) - CWe arrived at Cua Lo Seafood Market on the day that inspectors from the Nghe An Provincial Department of Standards, Metrology, and Quality were conducting a routine inspection of the control weighing station and retail scales at the market. The atmosphere was very relaxed; the business owners brought their scales in for inspection one after another with great enthusiasm.

This is quite surprising because, as far as we know, managing measuring instruments, especially retail scales, is proving difficult due to the lack of cooperation from business owners. Fraudulent practices in measurement at retail markets are still occurring, even in markets equipped with verification weighing stations. The situation of vendors refusing scale inspections or, after inspection, tampering with the seals and markings to adjust the scales still persists. So, what prompted the vendors at Cua Lo Seafood Market to be so proactive in managing and inspecting their scales?

Through conversations with the vendors here, we learned that this is a common practice at this market. People voluntarily pay a fee to have their scales calibrated, ensuring that their scales are accurate because the traders here have agreed to comply with regulations against fraudulent measurement practices. They have even formed an association called the Accurate Weighing Association.

Scales are being calibrated at Cua Lo Seafood Market.

The seafood market is the main market of Cua Lo town, offering a wide variety of fresh and dried seafood, primarily serving tourists vacationing at Cua Lo beach. While Cua Lo attracts a large number of tourists annually, the market experienced a period of significant decline. This was due to tourists being lured by electric vehicle drivers to other locations such as the harbor and beach, where goods were sold at lower prices but with unreliable weighing and poor quality. To restore the market's reputation, since 2010, local traders have formed an association for accurate weighing. Participating businesses sign a commitment not to cheat on weights; any inaccurate weighing results in the confiscation of scales and a fine of 1,000,000 VND per violation. Thanks to the regularly installed verification weighing station at the market entrance, shoppers can double-check the weight of their goods if they have any doubts, and if any vendor is reported for inaccurate weighing by customers, the Association will immediately penalize them. Mr. Van Duc Hoa, a small trader selling dried seafood at the market entrance and also the Chairman of the Association, said: “Initially, a few vendors violated the regulations, were caught, had their scales confiscated, and were fined, so after that, no one violated the regulations anymore.” He also said that initially, the Association only consisted of dried seafood vendors, but gradually, vendors selling other goods, even those not members of the Association, voluntarily complied with the commitment. The periodic verification of scales has been positively received by all vendors.

High-quality, fresh produce at reasonable prices, along with excellent service.The accuracy of weighing and measuring has gradually brought tourists back to the market. As a small business owner at the market, Ms. Mai Thi Lien enthusiastically shared with us: “My family has been doing business at the seafood market for many years. Seeing that accurate weighing benefits not only me personally but also all the businesses here, it builds trust among tourists. We feel that tourists are very satisfied. Many customers even call to place orders and recommend us to others after they return home.”

Ms. Duong Thi Bich Ngoc, a tourist from Hanoi, happily replied: “Every time I visit Cua Lo beach, I go to the seafood market to buy souvenirs for my relatives. I find the vendors here very friendly, selling quality goods, and especially the scales are very accurate. I've checked them several times and they're always precise, so I trust them completely. I wish everywhere could do this.”

We felt a sense of satisfaction from both buyers and sellers when visiting Cua Lo Seafood Market. With the presence of a verification weighing station and the conscientiousness of the vendors, managing retail weighing, which used to be difficult, has become much easier. A friendly, civilized, and healthy competitive business environment has been established. It is known that 50 verification weighing stations have been installed in major markets across the 21 districts and cities of the province. However, not many markets have effectively utilized these stations like Cua Lo Seafood Market. This can be seen as a model that deserves to be replicated.

Le Hien