• Expectes used to invite consumers to the presentations under the pretext of participating in the campaign 'Poland for Entrepreneurs' and would promise them gifts for attending the meetings.
• As a matter of fact, the campaign did not exist and the gifts were not free.
• President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny imposed a fine of over PLN 2.3 million on the company for misleading consumers.

The Expectes company, with its registered office in Poznań, organises commercial presentations. They are used for selling household appliances and woolen products. Calling consumers, company's telemarketers claim to be representatives of the Social Advertising Foundation and invite them to a presentation as part of the 'Poland for Entrepreneurs' campaign aimed at saving jobs. The President of UOKiK challenged the company’s practices and imposed a fine of over PLN 2.3 million (PLN 2,342,230) on the company.

- Expectes has intentionally misled consumers and lured them with giveaways in order to get them to come to the show and buy the products on offer. Particularly gross is the fact that, in conversations with consumers, telemarketers concealed the company's true identity and referred to a non-existent foundation to further sway responders' emotions – Tomasz Chróstny, the President of UOKiK, says.

Contested Practices

1. Misleading consumers as to the reason for the invitations addressed to consumers. During phone calls, telemarketers informed consumers that they represented the Social Advertising Foundation and operate as part of the 'Poland for Entrepreneurs' campaign aimed at saving jobs. In fact, neither the Social Advertising Foundation nor the 'Poland for Entrepreneurs' campaign exists. The meetings are intended as a commercial presentation.
2. Misleading consumers as to the gifts. Telemarketers made consumers think that just for attending the meeting, each attending couple would get a pressure coffee machine. In interviews, they emphasised the functionality and quality of the coffee machine. In fact, it turned out that consumers did not receive the promised coffee machines - these were included in the kits consumers purchased, and during the presentations consumers were informed that they had to make a purchase in order to receive the coffee machine. Instead, the gifts given for just attending the show were of very poor value and quality.
3. Misleading by informing that meeting and gifts for attending the meeting are funded by the sponsor. During the presentations, the hosts informed participants that the gifts were sponsored by a company that did not actually exist.
4. Misinforming consumers as to the drawings at presentation. During the presentation, company's representatives held a number of different drawings among the participants. One of the drawings involved prizes such as knife sets, an iron, a meat grinder and a juicer. In fact, the winners could choose from a number of envelopes, and the envelope they had drawn listed the items on display at the presentation, but to receive them, it was necessary to purchase one of the products on offer. This notwithstanding, we have determined that all drawings are a sham and are merely part of a presentation designed to encourage consumers to purchase the presented appliances.

In the decision issued, the President of UOKiK ordered the company to immediately cease and desist the contested practices.

Hints and advices for consumers

1. Watch out for potential catches in invitations. Don’t be fooled into thinking it is all about free medical check-up or promotion of a new chain store. Remember that gifts are usually not for free.
2. Don’t take quick or hasty decisions. You have the right to reliable information about the products offered. Ask about their features, compare prices. Don’t let yourself get convinced you must buy the item immediately because you will not have the opportunity to do it later.
3. Be careful when paying in instalments. Carefully read the contract and its attachments, including the “small print”. Check for any hidden additional costs.
4. Request the documents. The seller must give you a copy of the contract, all attachments, and promotion terms and conditions.
5. You can withdraw from the contract. You have 14 days following the receipt of the goods to do it. If the seller did not inform you about it, this period is extended to 12 months. Within 14 days after sending a statement of withdrawal from the contract, you must send the product back at your own expense.
6. You can submit a complaint on a defective product. You can ask the seller to repair or replace the goods, reduce the price, and when the defect is significant - to get a refund. The seller is liable under the warranty for defects which occurred within 2 years from the date of delivery of the goods.

Additional information for the media:

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