Most of the people believe that in commercial centres, though the price is higher, they could get genuine products. However, it is not quite true.
Ms Ngoc Mai (District 1, HCMC) said that she bought a pair of Adidas shoes in Le Thi Hong Gam (District 1) at VND280,000. While in D.P. (District 1), a similar pair was at VND630,000. Answering to her question, the seller replied: ”Genuine products imported from abroad are always higher in price”.
Double in price
Unlike Ms Ngoc Mai, Mr.Tuan (Tan Son Nhat) is unlucky. He bought a Japanese Sapphire watch in S.S. (District 1) at VND1.1 million. Three days later, he found in a famous store in District 3 a similar watch at only VND520,000.
In Thuan Kieu Plaza (District 5) at a Sale booth with 30-70 per cent off, we found a pair of Guess jean pants down to VND1.2 million and an Italian sweater VND900,000. However, taking a closer look, we discovered that the same pair of pants is being sold in Tan Binh and An Dong markets at VND190,000-260,000. The only difference is Chinese brand in the markets and Guess in the plaza.
At the Tax commercial centre, I tried a pair of shoes with a price tag of VND370,000. After some bargaining, the price was down to VND350,000. However, at Tan Binh market, a similar pair was at VND140,000, while promising me to change the sole, the seller explain that she was doing so to make a difference from the commercial centres. “Only buyers and not sellers make mistakes”, she concluded.
Ms Trieu Thi Huong Giang, Deputy Director General of Zen Plaza disclosed that commercial centres cannot control all commodities in prices and quality. Small traders also hire some stalls and sell their products. To get genuine products, buyers should keep to familiar shops and check the prices in other shops, as genuine commodities do not differ much in prices, Ms Giang added.
Intervention only in case of complaint
Mr Huynh Tan Phong, Head of Market Management Board, HCMC, confirmed that the Board has intervened in some cases of faked products in Thuan Kieu Plaza and Saigon Square due to the complaints of victimized companies.
A representative of the Consumers Association said that only complaints in quality and expired date and be solved. The Association cannot intervene in cases higher prices as it has no competence to do so. Buyers should protect their own interests by choosing careful products and distributors.
P.V
Vietnamese
