Identifying year-end clearance and discount tricks
(Baonghean.vn) - In order to stimulate shopping at the end of the year, stores and businesses launch promotional programs... However, in reality, many times these are just 'tricks' to attract customers, so consumers must be very careful when buying discounted products.
Virtual discount?
Christmas and New Year 2020 are approaching, people's shopping needs are increasing. Grasping the psychology and shopping needs at the end of the year, currently stores and supermarkets are hanging big promotion signs such as: Shocking discounts, golden shopping hours, gifts, year-end clearance... mostly fashion clothing shops from branded to popular.
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| In order to attract customers and stimulate shopping, a series of promotions and discounts are launched by stores at the end of the year. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
Along Nguyen Van Cu, Herman, Kim Dong streets, almost every clothing shop displays a sign "End of year clearance sale" with discounts from 30-70%, some clothing shops even sell items for the same price from 10,000 VND/product or buy 1 get 1 free...
However, many people come to the store and leave empty-handed, disappointed because the number of discounted products is very small, most of the products are out of fashion; have sewing errors, are even worn and odd sizes, and many of the models they like are reported to be out of size or quantity when asked to buy, and customers are advised to choose another model without the discount.
On this occasion, electronics and electrical appliance supermarkets also run big promotions, selling non-profitable products at discounts of up to 50%. But in reality, many products advertised with "shocking" discounts are still very expensive compared to the general market.
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| Consumers should be cautious of promotional and discount tricks. Photo: IT |
Mr. Hoang Van Ba, a customer in Truong Thi ward, said: “On Black Friday, according to the advertisement of an electronics supermarket in the area, I bought an oil-free fryer. Accordingly, the listed price of the product was 3,999 thousand VND, 30% discount to 2,799 thousand VND and also received a glass plate as a gift. However, in reality, at another store, the same type of grill was only 2,500,000 VND, so even though it was discounted, it was more expensive than usual.”
Some stores even "cheat" by introducing to customers items of the same design and type but with different specifications and lacking some functions and uses.
For electronics, stores often list the old price as the price when the item first hits the market, and the promotional price as the current value of the item to label it as discounted.
This "trick" is also applied when customers with high value bills are allowed to buy additional promotional products, gifts, etc.
Beware of tricks
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| To protect consumers, authorities need to strengthen inspection and control of the market as well as product quality. Photo: Thanh Phuc |
Promotion is a form of stimulating consumption and boosting economic growth, but currently, regulations on promotion are unclear and not strictly controlled. Therefore, to avoid falling into the trap of promotion and discount tricks, consumers need to be careful when shopping.
According to many experienced people, when buying promotional products, you must compare the price of the discounted product of this store with the price of another store or the market price to determine whether it is a real promotion or a virtual promotion.
In addition to price, consumers should pay attention to the quality and warranty period of the product they intend to buy. Because many supermarkets and stores do not implement "after-sales" policies such as warranty and return for promotional items.
At the same time, customers need to choose reputable addresses to buy goods, avoid buying fake, poor quality goods under the name of discounts and promotions.
According to the report of the one-stop transaction department of the Department of Industry and Trade, up to now, there have been over 1,000 units registered to announce the implementation of promotional programs in November lasting until New Year 2019 with a total promotional value of up to billions of VND. Accordingly, in terms of regulations, the prices and quality of goods are the responsibility of the business units themselves. In case the authorities conduct surprise inspections and discover violations or receive complaints or denunciations from consumers, the relevant agencies will intervene to clarify.