• The President of UOKiK imposed a fine amounting to over PLN 2.7 million VGET POLSKA. 
• The company organized trade shows and misled consumers. 
• This is yet another decision issued this year regarding selling products during such shows.

The President of UOKiK initiated proceedings against VGET in February 2019 based on press coverage and a complaint from the Municipal Consumer Ombudsman in Suwałki. To address this issue, the UOKiK employees acted as mystery shoppers and took part in one of trade shows organized by the company.

During the inspection, UOKiK found out that the company invited consumers by phone to free-of-charge examination as part of campaigns called “Academy of Health” or “Healthy Poland”. It did not mention the commercial nature of the shows. During the show, the participants were examined using the AM Scan device; afterwards, the company representatives discussed the results of such examinations and diagnosed diseases. Later they persuaded customers to buy products such as VitronMed or VitronMagnetic, which were to help them deal with their alleged health-related issues. However, AM Scan is not a medical device to assess health condition, and the devices offered do not cure diseases. Therefore, UOKiK concluded that consumers were misled and that information on diseases they were provided with could affect their decision to purchase devices.

Trade shows organized as free-of-charge examination are often attended by elders. It is easy to give such people a fright with their poor health condition and persuade them to buy expensive products that allegedly would help them, says Marek Niechciał, the President of UOKiK.

In addition, the hosts encouraged consumers to buy the products at “special” prices. The Office found out, however, that the devices were sold at standard prices offered by the company, and information about the alleged “special offer” was given only to encourage consumers to buy devices during the show.

UOKiK imposed a fine in the amount of over PLN 2.7 million (PLN 2,723,917) on VGET Polska. The company must abandon unfair practices. The President of UOKiK issued an order of immediate enforceability in this case. In addition, the company must notify (by registered mail) all clients with whom it concluded contracts between January 1, 2017 and June 24, 2019 of this decision.

This is a very important decision and one of the higher fines imposed on a company organizing trade shows in the history of UOKiK. I hope that it will be a warning to other companies, and it will make them discontinue using misleading practices during trade shows. Exerting pressure on consumers and frightening them with poor health condition is not only illegal but also immoral, adds Marek Niechciał.

This is yet another decision regarding trade shows, issued in recent months. For example, in May UOKiK fined the companies Vitaldream and R.A.M. Polska, which sold the Magnetic Field Applicator; in December 2018, a decision was made regarding the company ACS Medica.

Additional information for the media:
UOKiK Press Office
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone +48 695 902 088, +48 22 55 60 246
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL