Giving a Raise for No Reason Will Not Be Considered ‘Deceptive’

The Ministry of Commerce has signed an important amendment to the Commercial Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices Regulation today. With the amendment published in the Official Gazette, the Ministry re-determined the conditions of advertisements for discounted product sales. With the regulation, making an unfair price increase even though it was not affected by the foreign exchange price was among the ‘deceptive commercial practices’.

Paragraph 19 of the ‘Deceptive Commercial Practices’ section of the annex titled “Exemplary Practices Considered as Unfair Commercial Practice” of the Commercial Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices Regulation was also repealed. This clause states, “Increasing the selling price of the goods or services offered to the consumer without a justifiable reason, by acting as though they are not affected by price changes such as input cost and exchange rate increase, will no longer be considered a deceptive commercial practice.” was in the form.

The lowest price in the last 1 month will be given together with the normal increase price

With the new change, the phrase ‘price before discount’ has now been added for advertisements related to discounts. With the addition to the 14th article, the lowest price in the 1 month period before the discount will be given together with the normal increase price in the advertisements related to the discount. For perishable products such as fruits and vegetables, the previous price will be taken as a basis.

The personalized price will be given along with the regular price

In addition, the price offered by analyzing the purchasing behavior and other personal data of the consumer regarding a good or service will be deemed to be the ‘personalized price’. In the event that a price is presented to the consumer in this way, the current sales price of the product and the personalized price will be included in the same field.

Advertisement will be mandatory in the ranking results.

In the event that a product or service offered for sale on the Internet is sorted by comparing price, quality and similar aspects, information on which criteria the ranking was created will be displayed in the same field or consumers will be directed to a pop-up screen where they can get detailed information with a link/warning sign. It will also be obligatory to include the phrase “advertisement” in the ranking results displayed based on advertising or sponsorship and similar agreements.

Only those who bought the product will be able to evaluate

In addition, an important precaution comes into play for consumers. In case of consumer evaluations of a product or service sold on the Internet, only those who purchased the product will be able to evaluate in this area. Consumer reviews will be published for at least 1 year without making any positive or negative distinctions.

In order to increase sales, it will not be possible to make inaccurate evaluations or deal with real/legal persons related to this.

Finally, on the platforms where consumer complaints are published, at least 72 hours will be given to the seller, who is evaluated, for the right to explain or reply.