The summer sales started on Monday . As consumers we sometimes ask ourselves whether a bargain really is a bargain. We also often wonder why one of the products we wish to buy has been discounted while another product on our wish list has not been reduced in price.
Earlier this week VRT Radio 2’s consumer affairs programme De Inspecteur also examined the rules governing the sales and what are our rights as consumers are when we buy something in the sales.
The sales can sometimes leave us stressed and confused. But what are the rules governing the discounting of products and how can we tell when a discount is really a discount?
‘De Inspecteur’ joined forces with the Federal Economy Department to answer the questions regarding the sales that are most often posed by consumers.
1. The lowest price is the price
Sometimes the price at the checkout does not match the price on the (discounted) price label. It could be that a member of staff at the store has made a mistake. However, any mistake that has been made should never be to the detriment of the customer. Lien Meurisse of the Federal Economy Department told VRT News that "The vendor has to charge the lowest price given and this must be the price that is charged at the checkout”.
2. Bargains are bargains for all unless the conditions are very clearly stated
If goods are in the sale any discount given is applicable to all customers regardless of whether or not they have a loyalty card. If a discount is not valid for everyone this has to be clearly stated to prevent any confusion.
3. The retailer decides which items are on sale and which are not
Some opt not to discount clothes from last season’s collection. This means that you are only able to purchase "old" items that have been on sale for a year or more at a discount. This is perfectly legal. However, the law regarding sales does stipulate that only goods that have been on sale for at least 30 days prior to the start of the sales may be sold in the sale.
Lien Meurisse explains that "This is the so-called reference period. Apart from that retailers can decide for themselves what they do or don't offer at a discount."
4. Misleading customers is not allowed
If you experience any form of trickery or deception and, for example, you come across a coat that is supposedly in the sale but is actually being sold at the same price as it was before the sales, you are well within your rights to report this. The price of an item said to be in the sale must be lower than its original, “reference” price.
The reference price is the lowest price the item was on sale at during the 30-day period prior to the start of the sales. The reference price remains the same throughout the sale. Any discount is calculated from the reference price.
However, any action taken by an individual against a vendor for flouting the rules would have to go through the courts. A simpler and quicker option is to contact the economic inspectorate via the Federal Economy Department’s hotline.