Trade Ministry Cracks Down On Online Sellers Who Fail To Display Prices Of Their Products
"PM if interested" is no longer enough.
By Samantha Khor — 03 Aug 2017, 01:46 PM
Take note, online sellers.
Enforcers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism are cracking down on online sellers who fail to include prices and sufficient information about their products and services.
According to a report by New Straits Times, the law will now force online sellers, including those who operate on Facebook and Instagram, to display all the information a buyer would need to know in their social media posts or ads before making any transactions.
Speaking to NST, the ministry's enforcement director Datuk Mohd Roslan Mahayudin said that the ministry is fully enforcing the law to ensure that consumers' rights are better protected
"We are fully enforcing this law after having relaxed on this to allow traders to adjust accordingly," Roslan told New Straits Times.
"We want consumers to be better covered. Their rights must be protected, and they must be able to make informed purchasing decision with details on prices, the products and services, who they are dealing with and hidden charges at their fingertips."
Roslan also added that the ministry's team of enforcers will focus on online sellers who are using social media to sell their goods, particularly when they see interested buyers posting messages like "PM me, sis" on the thread
"We don't have issues with sellers who use online marketplaces such as Zalora and Lazada as most of them comply with our law," he explained.
"Our problem is with those using social media to ply their trade. If a person is selling a cat, for example, he must display the price he wants for it. He cannot simply say 'PM if interested'. Not any more."
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, online sellers are required to display the following information on their sites or social media posts:
(i) The full prices of the goods or services, including the taxes and transportation or other costs
(ii) Name of the person operating the business or the company and business name
(iii) Business or company registration number
(iv) Contact details of the person running the business i.e. e-mail address, telephone number, or address
(v) Description of the main characteristics of the product or service
(vi) Method of accepted payment
(vii) Estimated delivery time
(viii) Other terms and conditions
Online sellers who do not fulfill the eight requirements listed out above could be face a fine of up to RM50,000 or a jail term of not more than three years, or both.
Roslan also urged the public to contact the ministry's enforcement division at 1800-886-800 if they come across any online traders who fail to comply with the display requirements.