Poland’s consumer protection Authority reminds consumers and sellers alike of what to keep in mind when purchases are made off business premises

Today Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection is observing direct sales day. Consumers encounter direct sales tactics when making purchases beyond regular retail outlets, including at home from salespersons, at shows in community centres, sanatoria, shopping malls, and even during trips to places of worship. UOKiK regularly monitors businesses engaged in direct sales. It is currently conducting 16 proceedings related to enterprises that sell paramedical products, pots, cooking appliances, bedding and the sale of electricity and telecommunications services.

Illegal practices

Among the direct selling-related practices UOKiK most frequently challenges is concealing the identity of the enterprise or the commercial purpose of its activities. One example is power company representatives visiting consumers and introducing themselves as representatives of the consumer’s existing service provider, calling only to update the client’s data. What clients may fail to realize is that by signing the documents the salesperson presents, they are actually changing providers.

The Office likewise challenges the practice of not providing consumers with a copy of the agreement they have signed. This practice keeps consumers in the dark about the change they have made until they receive the first invoice, which prevents the effective withdrawal from an unfavourable agreement. Under the law, every enterprise or representative putting forward a commercial offer is obliged to inform the consumer of the intention to conclude a contract as well as the entity on whose behalf it acts. Misleading potential customers, or even failing to provide them with this information, is considered unfair commercial practice and is illegal.

Additional information for the media:

Press Office, UOKiK
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Phone.: +48 22 827 28 92, +48 22 55 60 314, +48 22 55 60 430
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl

Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL