DTI cracks down online sellers on “PM sent” marketing ploy

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has started cracking down on online sellers who fail to disclose the prices of their products amid complaints against bogus online businesses.

“Hindi lang DTI ang hahabol sa kanila kasi kasama na natin ngayon ang PNP (Philippine National Police ) at NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) sa pag trace sa kanila. Pwede silang mahabol if hindi sila sumunod sa ating batas. Sana seryusohin nila dahil talagang pwede silang mahabla at mamultahan,” Lopez said.   

(DTI is not the only one tracing them, but also the PNP and NBI. We can chase after them if they don’t follow our law. We hope they take it seriously since they can be sued and fined)

Lopez also said businessmen must refrain from doing the “PM sent” practice since Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act requires sellers to disclose the prices of their products.

He added that disclosing prices would help consumers when choosing products based on price and quality.

He added that businessmen should stop selling their products online if they cannot follow the law. The DTI official urged consumers to report erring online sellers through their hotline number 1384.  

Online selling has become more common following the implementation of the nationwide community quarantine.