Black lie Friday: Nearly 1 in 3 stores caught with false ads

Santo Domingo.- As manyas 32% of retailers inspected during "Black Friday" failed to complywith the law on truthful and responsible advertising, while 68% of the 50 departmentstores under surveillance respected their customers with their offers.

Consumerprotection agency -Pro Consumidor- director Altagracia Paulino affirmed Tuesday that the retailers´ violationsemerged when inspectors sought to obtain the items offered but weren’tavailable; prices weren’t clearly marked; items weren’t properly marked or describedand the use of the banned slogan “while supplies last,” among other irregularities.

Interviewed on TelesistemaChannel 11, Paulino said agency inspectors conducted the operation where 16 retailerscommitted violations, with irregularities in 28 items offered.

The official on Friday had warned of penalties against retaliers caught making false ads or using the "until supplies last" claim.