The Consumer Protection Service and the Cyprus Consumers Association are inundated with one complaint after another regarding deceptive discounts, especially during the Black Friday period.
Yesterday, the Parliamentary Committee for Trade discussed the issues arising during discount seasons.
Virginia Christou, representing the Consumer Association, reported that consumer complaints arise daily, particularly as the Black Friday period approaches.
According to Christou, the Consumer Association receives numerous complaints, regarding companies presenting products at significantly reduced prices, falsely advertising discounts of up to 90%.
“We have observed this even on company websites, promoting products with exceptionally high discount percentages when, in reality, there is no such thing,” she emphasized.
Christou highlighted that the law does not specify the timeframe for discounts, underscoring that many businesses do not adhere to the consumer code of ethics, which should be mandatory.
On behalf of the Cyprus Confederation of Professional Craftsmen and Shopkeepers (POVEK), Stefanos Koursaris stated that the institution of discounts applies in all European countries.
He explained that there is legislation for discounts that determines the dates of sales in 15 countries, adding that only three countries—Malta, England, and Cyprus—lack specific time frames.
“Everyone offers discounts whenever they want; there is anarchy. In the end, the consumer sees discounts 365 days a year,” he noted.
Marios Antoniou, from the Cyprus Retail Trade Association (PASYLE), emphasized that there is no closed period for sales, noting that each business is free to offer discounts for as long as they wish.
Before the Parliamentary Committee, a representative from the Consumer Protection Service, Emily Christodoulou, stated that the legislation allows merchants to offer discounts whenever they want but obliges them to indicate both the original and discounted prices.
According to Virginia Christou, the Consumer Service conducted 20,025 on-site inspections until the end of October this year, imposing fines totaling €70,000. Last year, 28,442 inspections were conducted, and fines of €23,000 were imposed.
