With an electronic platform that makes it much easier for consumers to file complaints, Ministry of Development exert greater control over the market for speculationper fictitious discountsbut also for others violations businesses at the expense of consumers. In fact, these complaints will be dealt with on a priority basis.

Complaints from consumers can be submitted on the platform kataggelies.mindev.gov.gr and relate to possible violations in Greece, in the European Union and beyond.

The platform shows five different topics that consumers can complain about: consumer goods, services, banking, insurance and other financial services, debtor information companies, debt settlement, and privacy protection.

Even if the General Secretariat for Commerce and Consumer Protection is not responsible for the problem, the platform provides the consumer with information about the service they should contact.

Discount rule

The platform was presented recently at a press conference by the Minister of Development and Investment, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, Deputy Minister of Development and Investment, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, and Secretary General for Trade and Consumer Protection, Mr. Sotiris Anagnostopoulos, on the occasion of the start of the winter sales on Monday, January 9th. This is because consumers will be able to report fictitious discounts through the platform, especially since the so-called 30-day rule applies this time.

In accordance with the provision contained in Law 4933/2022, the price before the discount is understood to be the lowest price applied by the trader within a period of at least 30 days before the application of the price reduction.

The same provision provides that when the product is on the market for less than thirty (30) days, the previous price is understood to be the lowest price applied by the seller within 10 days prior to the application of the price reduction. .

If the price cut increases gradually, the previous price is the price without the price cut before the first price cut was applied.

In case of violation of the above provision, a fine of up to 4% of the total business turnover is provided. “In a high inflation environment, we will help curb inflation in the next two months with real discounts,” Mr. Georgiadis said.