GOVERNMENT REMIND BUSINESSPLAYERS OF RULES FOR TRANSACTIONS BY E-COMMERCE

The Ministry of Trade again reminded businessplayers of rules for transactions by e-commerce. The ministry of Trade noted that by mid February 2015 there were 106 of 117 products which were obliged to include label, annual, guarantee card and after sales service. Apparently products for sale by e-commerce tend to increase “If retailers had supply of wholesalers they must demand them to provide photocopy of SNI certificate”. We had seen that many electronic products like fan, or LHE lamp offered to consumers through e-commerce were SNI certified. The Dir. Gen. of Spk of the Ministry of Trade Widodo disclosed to Business News (20/2).

Some consumers complained that some products sold were damaged and not in accordance with SNI. So the Ministry of Trade conducted meetings with some traders some days ago. The Ministry of Trade would check on circulation of goods from producers to retailers. “if retailers did not have a photocopy of SPPT SNI we are in no condition to trace back. Retailers must also be responsible in case consumers are disadvantaged”

The modus operandi of distributing bad products was as follows: delivery process escaped official’s inspection. Retailers claimed that order was often made by phone. Than came the sales person to deliver paid in cash. “Retailers claim that suppliers refused even to show their identity nor the producers or importers’ identity. In this case retailers must be accountable for it. If the product quality was not in accordance with SNI standard, the retailer could be accused for law breaking.”

The common problem in e-commerce shopping was that the goods ordered were not as advertised. The reference for legal action on retailers was Article 16 of the Law of Consumers Protection (UUPK) No. 8/1999. Besides, Law No. 7/2014 on Trading also regulated shopping of goods by e-mail.

Two Laws regulated e-commerce shopping and SNI was the substantial thing. “We attended to consumer’s complaint. Producers must report product information, business legality and their own identity. Very often order did not arrive or the product was not as promised. The goods displayed on the monitor screen looks fantastic, but the specification is not the same.”

Advertisement which deceived consumers might disadvantage 3 parties the retailer who order goods based on advertisement, the advertising agency who created the advertising concept and Media Houses (TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, outdoor). “If the advertisements were irresponsible, and disadvantage consumers, the three parties were sanctioned. The case would be like the gas-stove rubber tube which was labeled ‘SNI Certified’ – but when the product was technically lab-tested, the quality is off-standard.”

In another place, some customers of commodity traders became victims as deposited money disappeared; in the beginning they were attracted by commodities offered for sale by fixed contract, then they paid money to accounts managed by brokers. “Supposedly our fund deposit our fund deposited in the brokers’ account were safe because the brokers were under the protection of Babbebti, but when we tried to draw cash from the account our money disappeared in thin air. We have called the broker’s management but the result was nill. We have reported the case to Bappepti some day ago hoping they would take action” Pamela. A customer of rex broker reported to Business News (20/2).

Beside Pamela, some customers regretted Bappepti’s slow action. It could be rated as failure to enforce Law No. 32/1997 on Commodity Fixed Trading, as amended in Law No. 10/2011. Bappepti de-actived the company without considering customer’s interest “Supposedly before cancelling company’s permit Bappeti detained or arrest the managers. Bappebti could coordinate  with the Director General of immigration or the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. Now the thieves had run away.” (SS)

Business News - February 25, 2015