‘PM sent’: It’s actually unlawful for businesses to hide price tags, DTI warns

Consumers are apparently not the only ones irritated by using “pm sent” just to get the price of an item they want to purchase. According to the Department of Trade Industry, it’s actually unlawful for businesses to hide price tags.

We have had enough of the constant “hm?” (how much?) when deciding which to buy because the seller, instead of putting the amount on the listing, asks for a private message before revealing the price. These are merely shenanigans and are considered unprofessional dealing with customers, as per DTI guidelines.

https://www.facebook.com/DTI.SultanKudarat/photos/a.1673818782861644/2666999586876887/?type=3

DTI Sultan Kudarat condemns ‘PM sent’

DTI Sultan Kudarat, one of the its regional offices, expressed on their Facebook page their grievances via a wacky meme and a reminder to all online merchants:

“HINDI COOL ang PM SENT sa online selling! Gawing smooth ang iyong transaction kaya ilagay na ang presyo ng produktong binebenta mo.
Tandaan! Nakasaad sa RA 7394 o Consumer Act of the Philippines na unlawful ang pagbebenta ng kahit na anong produkto na walang karampatang price tag, label or marking ng presyo ng produkto.”

In fact, they cited a part of the Consumer Act of the Philippines or RA 7394. It reads that sellers are not allowed to offer any consumer product to the market without putting an appropriate price tag.

Of course, there were others who argued that this is a strategy for businesses. However, there are also comments from fed up consumers, saying DTI is subtly posting this as a warning.

How about you? What’s your take on this? Share your thoughts with us!