A fine of 550,000 lira for hidden price increases and false discounts on food products.

The President of the Consumer Confederation (TÜKONFED), Aydın Ağaoğlu, warned about the deceptive campaigns that are presented as discounts, particularly in food products, through secret price increases by reducing weights and raising prices only to lower them again.

THE PENALTY FOR SECRET PRICE INCREASE IS 550 THOUSAND LIRA

Emphasizing that large branded companies deceive consumers in other ways, Ağaoğlu stated, "There are secret price increases along with weight games. They reduce the weight in packaged foods, but the package remains the same, and the price remains the same. The consumer buys it thinking it's the same price, but they don't realize they are buying it at an increased price."

Ağaoğlu mentioned that those who deceive consumers with secret price increases face fines of up to 550 thousand lira. He also drew attention to false discounts, saying, "I really couldn't explain this to people enough. For a company to claim they are offering a discount, they must base it on the lowest price at which that product was sold in the last 30 days. For example, if it was sold for 100 lira, and then for 120 or 150 lira, they cannot apply a discount based on 150 lira. They can only apply a discount based on 100 lira. Consumers who notice this should report it to the Ministry of Trade."

Ağaoğlu added, "You are selling by looking back thirty days. The lowest price sold is 100 lira. If it is sold for less than 100 lira, they can claim it is a discount. For instance, if it is sold for 90 lira, it can be said that a discount was applied. If it is a false discount, it will be subject to an administrative monetary penalty. Raising the price and then claiming to have made a discount is a misleading practice for consumers and warrants a penalty."

CONSUMERS ALSO HAVE A ROLE IN MONITORING

Pointing out that it is not possible for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Trade to monitor every product, Ağaoğlu stated that consumers have a significant role in monitoring.

Expressing that significant conveniences have been provided regarding complaints, Ağaoğlu said, "The rate of increase will also rise in 2025, but for this year, Consumer Arbitration Committees are authorized for disputes up to 104 thousand lira. Even in issues related to mobile phones, washing machines, and dishwashers, solutions can be sought through this method without going to court regarding prices."