Ready to be reported: Price hike storm in supermarkets

The countdown has begun for the determination of the minimum wage. Products whose prices were expected to rise after the minimum wage hike have already seen price increases before citizens have even received their salary raises. Opportunists are changing the prices on labels day by day.

THE PRICE HIKE STORM HAS BEGUN

According to the report by Milliyet;

Aydın Ağaoğlu, President of the Consumer Confederation, who commented on the subject, stated the following:

“Before the minimum wage has even been officially announced, a rain of price hikes has begun on almost all basic food products and essential goods.

Moreover, these hikes occurred even though Ministry of Trade inspectors had just gone out for inspections in 3 major cities three days ago to check prices and purchase invoices in supermarkets.”

‘EXCUSES MAY INCREASE’

The worst part is that these excessive price increases could rise again next month under the pretext that ‘the minimum wage has increased, our costs have gone up.’

In this regard, it is beneficial for the Ministry of Trade to conduct its inspections by tracing back from the sales points of chain supermarkets to the suppliers and producers.

Because it is not just fruits and vegetables; in these days, price hikes have been applied to almost all food products, including legumes, and especially eggs, meat, and dairy products.

WHERE SHOULD COMPLAINTS BE FILED?

One kg of white cheese has reached the 300 TL level. Although the Ministry of Trade has an organization in 81 provinces in our country, it is impossible to have an inspector at the head of every product on every shelf.

But since it is a matter of fact that the products offered for sale are seen by consumers, our consumers should not forget that they can easily send the label prices and invoices of products where they see abnormal price increases to the Ministry of Trade's Unfair Price Evaluation Board via the internet, and they should make it their duty as conscious citizens to do so.

In this way, every adult individual in our country will have carried out an inspection against profiteers of exorbitant prices, just like an inspector of the Ministry of Trade.

‘IT NEEDS TO BE CONSTANTLY EXAMINED’

Egg, meat, and milk prices have risen on labels. White cheese has approached 300 TL. There are constant hikes in milk and meat prices. I think suppliers also need to be constantly examined.

With the hikes made, I think consumers should act consciously and report the increases they detect to the Unfair Price Evaluation Board via the internet, and those who do not have the opportunity to report via the internet should call the Alo 175 consumer hotline.

‘ITS PRICE WENT FROM 230 LIRA TO 300 LIRA’

The price of a 30-pack of eggs in supermarkets has gone from the 75-90 TL band to the 115-140 TL band. This varies according to the brand and the point of sale.

Increases have also been observed in legume products. While Osmancık rice was 55-60 TL in recent days, it is currently in the 80-100 TL band, varying by brand. White cheese, which was in the 180-230 TL band, is currently hovering in the 240-300 TL band.

The price increases took place within this month. The minimum wage started to be discussed, and the hikes began before the determination was even finalized.

LABEL-REGISTER PRICE DIFFERENCE, PENALTY ANNOUNCED

In addition, the penalties to be applied as of January 1, 2024, and the monetary limit for applications to Consumer Arbitration Committees have been increased by 58.4 percent.

In other words, if there is one price at the register and another on the label, the administrative fine, which is 1371 TL today, will be applied as 2171 lira for each label.

INCREASED TO 104 THOUSAND TL! A GREAT ADVANTAGE WILL BE OFFERED

Furthermore, while applications could be made to consumer arbitration committees for disputes up to 66 thousand TL for this year, this limit has been increased to 104 thousand TL as of January 1, 2024, providing a great advantage for consumers.

Today, a new model smartphone has gone well above 66 thousand TL. Our consumers who experience problems with products such as refrigerators, televisions, white goods, furniture, and electronics will be able to make their complaints and applications via the internet by using the Ministry of Trade's system, abbreviated as TÜBİS, and will be able to obtain their rights with the decision to be issued by the Consumer Arbitration Committee by attaching their documents.

Increasing the arbitration committee application limit, which was 66 thousand TL last year, to 104 thousand TL has created a great advantage for the consumer,” he commented.

News Source: 12punto