A. M. 
The Defensoría del Consumidor (DC) has intensified its supervisory actions in several stores in the country during Black Friday. Its objective is to guarantee compliance with offers, fair prices and avoid abusive commercial practices that affect consumers.
The president of the DC, Ricardo Salazar, emphasized that strict vigilance is being maintained to prevent “unjustified price variations”. As he explained, on previous occasions it has been detected that some stores artificially raise prices before Black Friday and then simulate attractive discounts. “We have already carried out more than 300 verifications in terms of promotions and offers”, said Salazar.
In the inspections carried out, irregularities were identified in 30 cases, mainly related to expired products. The authorities have proceeded to impose the corresponding sanctions to protect consumers and ensure the quality of the products on sale.
The Defensoría del Consumidor also emphasized its commitment to guarantee the respect of consumers’ rights during this shopping season. Salazar mentioned that, in view of the boom in promotions and discounts nationwide, the institution is prepared to deal with any complaint.
Among the main actions is the prevention of misleading advertising and the requirement of clear information on promotions. These measures seek to enable consumers to make informed decisions and avoid being harmed.
Finally, the CD invites citizens to use the CD’s Compara precompre portal (https://precompra.defensoria.gob.sv/compara), where product prices can be consulted. This resource allows to verify if the advertised discounts are really beneficial.
