(Final report of 2015)
(Prague, March 4, 2016) Results of inspections aimed at presentation sales events were partly successful when the number of organized events decreased by one third in 2015 when compared with 2014. The number of organized events decreased from more than 27 thousand down to about 18 thousand. However, behaviour of some commercial entities didn’t change – they avoided or even intentionally breached the obligations of organizers of presentation sales events. CTIA officers detected flaws in 339 of 420 inspections, i.e. 80.7%. The most frequent finding related to breaches of announcement obligations concerning presentation sales events and the use of prohibited unfair commercial practices, including aggressive commercial practices. Organization of some presentation sales events wasn’t reported to the Czech Trade Inspection Authority or wasn’t reported on time and with all required information. Moreover some companies didn’t communicate not only with inspection officers, but nor with consumers who made efforts to enforce their right to withdraw from the contract and reimbursement. 258 fines amounting to CZK 29,562,000 became effective during the year. “High rate concerning the social danger of illegal conducts posed by these activities was taken into account when amounts of fines were imposed. CTIA also sanctioned entities that promised payment cards or vouchers in the value of tens of thousands of Czech crowns. These were never seen by consumers who signed contracts and paid required amounts. The amendment of the Act on Consumer Protection valid from December 28, 2015, hence, prohibits organizers to accept any amount from a consumer in the period of 7 days from the contract is signed. Only results of 2016 will show whether this measure contributes to the change of buyers’ behaviour,” said Mojmír Bezecný, the Director General of the Czech Trade Inspection Authority.
The complete press release is available in the attachment.
Celá zpráva zde:
2016-03-04-presentation-events-2015.doc (, 76.50 KB)