The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Friday warned consumers to be extra cautious in availing freebies or giveaways from retailers, suppliers and manufacturers -- there might be a catch.

This was raised by DTI Undersecretary for consumer welfare Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya after her office has received complaints from shoppers being approached by sales clerks offering freebies and giveaways.

“One of the most common complaints is that mall shoppers are approached by sales staff informing them that they are the lucky ones selected to win a prize. These shoppers are urged to enter the store to claim the “supposed” prize,” said Maglaya.

Since customers are still in awe with the news of winning, they think that grabbing the offer is like hitting two birds with one stone: two products at the price of one. So, even with the lack of relevant information and lack of sufficient time to come up with a sound decision, they relent to buy usually using their credit cards since the purchase are usually unplanned.

“The problem begins when the terms of the sale is revealed. The awe turns into shock when upon receiving the receipt; the price quoted is grossly higher than the price of similar products they know of. Upon summation, the customer has also paid for the “supposed” freebie,” Maglaya said.

Maglaya stressed that the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394) Title III, Chapter I, Article 50, provides for the Regulation of Sales Acts and Practices and Prohibition against Deceptive Sales Acts or Practices. It states that, “An act or practice shall be deemed deceptive whenever the producer, manufacturer, supplier or seller, through concealment, false representation of fraudulent manipulation, induces a customer to enter into a sale or lease transactions of any consumer product or service.”