Have you ever found an interesting product online, but can’t make the purchase decision right away because the seller, instead of putting the price on the listing, asks buyers to send a personal message (PM) before revealing the price?

Consumers and, apparently, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) themselves, have had enough of this shenanigans.

DTI’s regional office in Sultan Kudarat took to Facebook to remind online sellers that “Hindi Cool ang PM sent” and they should make online transactions smoother by putting the product’s price right on the listing itself. The post was accompanied by a wacky meme.

https://www.facebook.com/DTI.SultanKudarat/posts/2667007123542800

In fact, it’s unlawful to offer any consumer product to the market without putting an appropriate price tag. This is part of the Consumer Act of the Philippines or RA 7394.

Although, the law was passed way back in 1992 and may need some revision to be more applicable in the modern age.

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It’s no surprise that the post gained a lot of sympathy from the people. Some are saying that this post shall serve as a warning to online sellers to make their prices open for the public to see.

Although, some argue that this is actually a sales technique and can help improve their business. Not posting the price will trigger the customers’ curiosity and sending a private message will give the seller the opportunity to know if people are really interested in the product.

Some also pointed out that hiding the price helps protect the integrity of their resellers, who might have to sell the product at a mark up if the original price has already been revealed online.

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  1. Sorry DTI.. Kaya lng naman may mga Items kaming for PM ang price kse merong mga co-supplier or seller na nanunulot ng customers!! 😂😂😂🤣 tipong may post ka tapos may price may co supplier na manunulot sasabhn “MAM SAKEN PO MAS MURA GANITO GANYAN LANG” blah blah blah!!! Hahahahahaha yung mas bababaan nila ung presyo nila para makuha ung mga nagiinquire sayo. Ediwow! HAHAHAHA

  2. I have a website with complete details:

    PRICE POSTED very clearly
    ITEMS DESCRIPTION
    RETURN POLICY
    DELIVERY PROCEDURE

    Now, I am using the FB page and bought FB ADS to promote my site. Asking them to visit my site to check out the items, prices, etc

    Sila ang post ng post ng “HM?”, “how much?”, “Magkano?”

    Natural, ang sagot ko, “Check the website, and PM sent (asking them “personally” to check the website nga)”

    MAY VIOLATION?

  3. Kawawa po dito yung mga reseller na na sa online lang din po kumukuha ng extrang kita pang buhay sa pamilya kung yung customer nila mawala dahil nakita ang price ng main supplier.

  4. Unahin muna nila sitahin ung may physical shop kysa online sellers. Try nyo pumunta sa mga nagbebenta ng motor. Lahat ba ng modelo nila na nkadisplay may price tag? D ba karamihan hindi naglalagay?
    Sa grocery, d ba minsan kelangan mo pang i-scan dhil hindi nkalagay ung price.
    Sa drugstore, d ba kelangan mo rin magtanong kng magkano ung bibilhin mong gamot kc hndi nman lahat nkalagay ung price.
    Sa palengke, d ba d nman cla nglalagay ng price tag
    Nkalagay man ang price o hindi, dpat mgkaroon ng buyer-seller relationship.
    Ayaw ng HM? PM sent?
    Eh di wag ng magbenta o bumili. 😂😂😂

    MEMA lng tlaga yang mga nagrereklamo eh.

  5. Meron pa one time nagalit sakin si seller kasi Naka ilang hm na ako sa iba’t ibang item kaso hindi ako bumili. Sa side ko, may budget ako and at the same time, ‘di ko alam magkano ang items na binebenta, so obviously I had to ask. Nung nag reply siya at hindi pasok sa budget ko edi syempre hindi ako bumili. At ngayon naakusahan pa ako na troll lang at hindi naman talaga bibili. Kung nakasulat sana ang presyo, wala sana akong naabala eh.

  6. It’s unlawful to sell without a price tag? So what has DTI been doing about those thousands of Shopee/Lazada/
    iG /FB Marketplace sellers who illegally import items in balikbayan boxes or buy from Divisoria and resell online and do not issue ORs? Every Philippine seller must clearly show their DTI or Business Registration on their ads, more than the prices of their items. DTI would do well to support the small businesses who pay rent to malls, taxes to BIR, benefits to employees, and issue ORs for every single purchase rather than promoting illegal sellers.