Consumer Council surveyed terms and conditions of supermarkets and cake shop cash vouchers
Consumer Council conducted a surveyed on cash vouchers issued by supermarkets, department stores, and cake shops, to see if sufficient information are provided to consumers or any restricting terms are used. Details of the survey can be found in the latest issue no. 273 of Consumer Report. The Council reminds consumers to consider carefully before making purchase through prepayment due to the risks involved, and not to make the consumption amount too large and time period too long. The mentioned survey reveals that most cash vouchers sold by supermarkets, department stores, and cake shops restrict the time of use by consumers, and consumers are not allowed to exchange the vouchers back into cash. Further, some merchants do not consider the purchase dates of consumers as the start dates of vouchers, therefore, consumers should consider and check carefully whether the expiry dates of the vouchers are reasonable or not. About half of the surveyed merchants are found to have detailed restricting terms, such as limitation on the number of vouchers used and amount purchased, and the use of other promotions, etc., printed on their vouchers. The Council points out that unclear terms will lead consumers to a disadvantageous position if consumer dispute arises, therefore merchants are suggested to state clearly all terms and conditions on the vouchers to safeguard and respect the right to information of consumers. Even though most surveyed merchants reply that measures will be taken to safeguard consumers in case of closedown or transfer of ownership of shops, consumers are advised not to overbuy because of promotions, and to make purchase at shops with goodwill when paying with prepayment. The latest issue also covers the 2016 accuracy test of fuel metres at petrol station, a feature on ‘Certified Shop’ Beijing Tong Ren Tang (Macau) Company Limited (Shop Mercado Vermelho), and a detailed introduction of the revised Code of Practice for Intermediary Services in Real Estate Operations. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) and WeChat official account. For enquiry, please call 8988-9315.