China Consumers Association issues Spring Festival consumption tips: low price ≠ affordable. To enjoy high quality and low price, you need to avoid these pitfalls.

As the Spring Festival in 2022 approaches, many consumers are already preparing to buy new year’s goods, replace new furniture, or plan to visit low-risk tourist attractions. Shopping malls, supermarkets, travel agencies, e-commerce platforms and other operators have also launched various preferential activities. Among them, the most intuitive and common method of activity is price reduction promotion.

However, low prices do not mean benefits. Some unscrupulous operators may take advantage of low prices to sell fake and shoddy products, and even deceive consumers, adding "congestion" to consumers' Spring Festival life. In this regard, the China Consumers Association has sorted out several "low-price tricks" that have been prominently reported by consumers in recent years, and hopes that consumers will take more precautions to prevent "falling into traps".

Low-price "problematic" food has high safety risks and low nutritional value

Be careful about buying fake and inferior products during community group buying

Community group buying relies on e-commerce Group purchasing activities for consumer goods carried out through platforms, communities and other tools. Consumers can purchase products at lower prices through group buying. It is understood that community group buying has developed rapidly since the end of 2020 as many well-known e-commerce platforms have entered the community group buying business. With "prices far below the market average", it has successfully attracted a large number of community consumers to "follow the group buying" ". Currently, community group buying covers everything from fruits and vegetables to daily necessities, from catering services to transportation. However, behind the "glossiness" of community group buying, there are also many problems, such as poor product quality, false promotions, low-price dumping, non-refundable deposits upon exit, etc. Among them, the problem of low price and low quality is the most prominent.

In this regard, the China Consumers Association reminds that when consumers engage in community group buying, they must carefully screen and check the merchant’s qualifications, understand the merchant’s reputation and after-sales service, and try to choose a store with good reputation, standardized service, and after-sales service. For guaranteed group buying merchants, carefully choose WeChat group buying groups organized by WeChat merchants, social platforms and individuals. Second, we must carefully check the supply channels and supplier qualifications. When receiving goods, we must promptly check the product quality, such as whether meat and poultry products have passed inspection and quarantine, whether agricultural and sideline products have been tested, whether they comply with national food safety standards, whether there is a product certificate, etc. Third, we must consume rationally according to our own needs, do not blindly hoard goods with limited use, resist the temptation of low prices, and avoid waste caused by excessive hoarding. Fourth, you must keep consumption vouchers such as invoices, electronic orders, and payment pages, as well as chat records with the "group leader" of the group buying platform, product promotion introductions, service commitments and other information, and actively defend your rights when your legitimate rights and interests are infringed.

There are hidden tricks in ultra-low-price promotions

Some low-price promotions with obviously unreasonable prices are full of tricks. They seem to be benefiting consumers, but in fact they are "catching big fish in the long run." ", using "free", "0 yuan purchase", "flash sale", "recharge as much as you want and get free" etc. as bait to induce consumers to "take the bait". Some are substandard products of extremely low quality or have shrunk in service quality; some products are given away for free, but additional fees are required to use the product; some are loans or installment payments without the consumer's knowledge; Some are designed to induce consumers to top up large amounts of prepayments; some are used to obtain consumers' personal information, and then push various advertisements or sell for profit; some are hidden Trojan horse programs. Once consumers click on the link or scan the code, they will face a larger fortune. security risks, etc.

In this regard, the China Consumers Association reminded that consumers should be wary of ultra-low-price or even free promotions by merchants, carefully identify the authenticity of promotions, and especially understand whether there are other conditions attached. For those involving installment payments, you must fully understand the relevant rules and measure your own repayment ability. Second, we must recharge rationally. For those who induce consumers to recharge in the form of "recharge as much as you get," "high cash rebate," etc., we must take into account the credibility of the merchant, the consumer's own economic ability, and consumption needs. It is recommended not to recharge in one go. Larger amounts. Third, we must protect the security of personal information and personal property, and do not fill in personal information such as mobile phone numbers and addresses at will; do not click on unknown links at will, and do not scan QR codes at will.

Stay away from “unreasonable low-price tours”

In recent years, problems such as forced shopping, product quality disputes, and insult to consumers caused by “unreasonable low-price tours” have occurred from time to time. Seriously harming the rights and interests of consumers, damaging the image of tourist attractions, and affecting the healthy development of the tourism industry. "Unreasonable low-price tours" are often packaged with gimmicks such as "group purchase prices", "zero group fees", "free tours", and "travel subsidies", but in fact they hide "traps" that harm the interests of tourists, such as in itinerary routes, transportation Tools, meals, accommodation, etc. are greatly discounted, and various shopping links are arranged during the trip, or the most exciting and paid attractions are excluded from the low-priced group fee when signing the contract, thereby increasing the price in disguise. These behaviors seriously affect consumers’ travel experience and are prone to consumer disputes.

Finally, the China Consumers Association reminds consumers to view merchants’ discount promotions rationally, keep their eyes open, and discern whether the so-called “low prices” are “real benefits” or “set-up”. In particular, Pay attention to the ultra-low price traps of unscrupulous merchants, spend smartly and enjoy the benefits.