KZP Launches Large-Scale Inspections of Gas Stations, Retail Chains, and Banks

The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) is conducting three large-scale inspections, CPC chairwoman Maya Manolova told journalists. She explained that the scope includes gas stations due to rising fuel prices, retail chains over the prices of goods, and banks over charges for banking services.

Manolova pointed to data showing increases in two main groups of food products – dairy products and fruits and vegetables – for the period August-October, reaching 17 percent. The CPC will request explanations for the causes of this increase, and in the absence of grounds sanctions may be imposed in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act.

The director of the General Directorate “Market Control” at the CPC, Ignat Arsenov, commented that for some products the stated increase in the base price does not correspond to the selling price. An example is cucumbers, where the delivery price has decreased by 14%, while the selling price has risen.

Manolova cited data from the chains themselves showing markups on some products reaching up to 141 percent. According to her, markups from 99 to 141 percent are audacious and unfair to Bulgarian consumers. She emphasized that such deviations tear at households’ budgets and described the market as distorted.

The CPC has expressed a commitment to the government for stricter sanctions in cases of significant deviation from fair value and is preparing a legislative project, which has already been submitted to the National Assembly. Manolova added that the aim is for dialogue with the chains to lead to real results.

Next week a meeting will be held with businesses against which the most complaints have been filed. The main areas of monitoring are food and medicine prices, unfair practices in telecommunications, and banking fees.

Regarding fuels, the inspections show that in about 8 percent of the inspected objects there is an unjustified increase in the price of propane-butane. Arsenov specified that the increase ranges from 1 to 3 cents and a justified reason for this will be requested.

Source: Telenews