• A false pretext for a meeting, no prizes and fake promotions - such techniques are used by the Swiss-Med company from Stęszew to lure consumers to trade shows and sell them overpriced goods.
• President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) Tomasz Chróstny imposed a fine of over 1.6 million PLN on Swiss-Med.
• He also initiated explanatory proceedings against Eneda, whose practices consumers complain about during shows.

A debate on a healthy lifestyle, during which each attending couple will receive a multi-function, automatic coffee machine - such promises were included in invitations from Swiss-Med sp. z o.o. sp. k. from Stęszew. In fact, it was the presentation and sale of products, and the gift turned out to be a coffee machine or a drip coffee maker worth at most several dozen zlotys. During the shows, Swiss-Med also tempted with "exceptional promotions" - e.g. a set of woolen bedding and 5 other devices such as a vacuum cleaner or a massage mat offered for 10.5 thousand zlotys, while the products bought separately were allegedly to cost over PLN 45 thousand. However, the Company carried out sales only in sets, and their prices were fixed in a price list known only to salespeople and were identical to the fictitious promotional prices. The prices of individual products were placed only on the website via which the purchase could not be made; moreover, they were overestimated many times in relation to market prices.

“I imposed a financial fine on Swiss-Med company in the amount of PLN 1.6 million for unfair market practices - i.e. misleading consumers and promising non-existent benefits. I do not give my consent to manipulate consumers, offering them products for PLN 10,000 which they could buy on the market for a fraction of that amount and still presenting it as an unique bargain. Such practices are absolutely unlawful and detrimental to consumers. There will be zero tolerance and no preferential treatment for dishonest companies organizing commercial shows,” warns Tomasz Chróstny, President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection.

Apart from imposing a penalty of over PLN 1.6 million (PLN 1,654,961) on Swiss-Med, the President of UOKiK ordered the company to immediately cease the disputed practices and inform the injured consumers of the decision. This is yet another, recently imposed high fine for shows - in July, Tomasz Chróstny imposed sanctions in the amount of over PLN 3.5 million on Comfort Med+.

There are still approx. 10 proceedings pending concerning unfair practices during trade shows. In September, the President of UOKiK initiated further - so far only explanatory - proceedings against Eneda company from Poznań. It belongs to a group of companies affiliated with each other, e.g. Housefire, which UOKiK has been interested in for many years and whose business practices were communicated to the prosecution. According to consumer signals, Eneda organises meetings under the pretext of launching the "Safe holidays" project, which is aimed at saving Polish tourist sector. Participants complain that Eneda promised them a tourist voucher for a 3-day accommodation with boarding and all attractions in the Polish hotel, while in fact it only entitled to some discounts. At the meeting – contrary to the organizer's announcements - a presentation of products such as pots and mats took place. There was also a drawing of "prizes", for which – as one of the consumers claims – they had to pay. During the explanatory proceedings, the President of UOKiK shall initially verify whether there are grounds for accusing Eneda of infringing the collective interests of consumers. In such a case, the entrepreneur can face a fine of up to 10% of its turnover.

Hints and advices for consumers

Senior, if you have been cracked for a sales show and talked into purchasing the presented products, remember that you can withdraw from the contract within 14 days. All you need to do is to send an appropriate form to the company, which you can download from the website prawakonsumenta.uokik.gov.pl. You do not have to state the reason for withdrawal, you will not incur any costs either – apart from the fee for sending back the purchased goods. If you need free legal advice, call the Consumer Hotline 801 440 220 220 or 22 290 89 16 or write an e-mail to the address: [SCODE]cG9yYWR5QGRsYWtvbnN1bWVudG93LnBs[ECODE]. Consumer ombudsmen who operate in every district are also helpful.

Consumer support:

Phone: +48 801 440 220 or +48 22 290 89 16 – consumer helpline
E-mail: [SCODE]cG9yYWR5QGRsYWtvbnN1bWVudG93LnBs[ECODE]
Consumer ombudsmen – in your city or district

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: [SCODE]Yml1cm9wcmFzb3dlQHVva2lrLmdvdi5wbA==[ECODE]
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL