At the beginning of 2023, the regulations were amended to improve consumer protection (Act on Combating Unfair Market Practices, i.e. Gazette of Laws 2023, item 845, as amended and the Act on Consumer Rights, i.e. Gazette of Laws 2023, item 2759, on this occasion, regulations were introduced to limit unfair practices at trade fairs. Companies offering products and services outside their registered office may not accept payments before the deadline for withdrawal from the contract and may not conclude contracts with consumers relating to financial services, e.g. consumer credit, during a concert or a trip. An agreement concluded in these circumstances is invalid by operation of law and has no effect on the consumer. They may also not mislead by stating that the price is promotional when it is not, and deny consumers the right to do so. Therefore, terminating the contract if they take advantage of this “promotional” price is also prohibited.
The President of the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection has decided to investigate whether companies carrying out direct sales have adapted to the new regulations. The previous experience of the office and the Commercial Inspectorate has shown that consumers are often deceived during such fairs.
– Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to unfair sales practices during presentations. Dishonest salespeople often take advantage of their health problems. Elderly people are invited to meetings under false pretenses, such as free eye or lung tests. This is what happened to the companies we recently brought cases against. Most contracts are concluded with consumers over the age of 60, says Tomasz Chróstny, Chairman of the Competition and Consumer Protection Office.
