Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 31) – Sellers should not force their customers to accept vouchers instead of giving a refund for a defective product, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Monday.
“Pwede naman po tanggapin ni consumer ang voucher. Ang sinasabi namin hindi pwede pilitin ni seller si consumer na tanggapin yung voucher,” Marcus Valdez, DTI Consumer Policy & Advocacy Bureau Director, told CNN Philippines Newsroom Ngayon.
[Translation: The consumer can accept the voucher. What we are saying is that the seller cannot force the consumer to accept the voucher.]
“Ang ating mga remedies [in addressing a defective product] ay yung right to repair. Kung hindi pwede, ang sunod na remedy ay replacement. Kung hindi pwede ang replacement, doon papasok ang refund. In that order po siya,” he added.
[Translation: Our remedies in addressing a defective product are the right to repair. If it cannot be repaired, the product can be replaced. If replacement is not feasible, the product can be refunded. The remedies can be followed in that order.]
According to Valdez, the Consumer Act of the Philippines, which states the condition of addressing a defective product, covers both physical and online stores.
