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Warning issued over fake subsidies for Galaxy Z 8 pre-orders in South Korea
🇰🇷 South Korea /Economy & Trade

Warning issued over fake subsidies for Galaxy Z 8 pre-orders in South Korea

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Consumers are warned about exaggerated advertisements offering excessive subsidies for pre-orders of the Galaxy Z 8 series.
  • Some retailers are promising high subsidies and gifts to lure customers before the official pre-sale period.
  • Buyers are advised to carefully check pre-approval documents and contract terms to avoid potential disputes.

As Samsung prepares to launch its new Galaxy Z 8 series, consumers are being cautioned against misleading advertisements from some retailers. The pre-sale period, set to begin on August 28 and run until September 3, has seen an increase in exaggerated claims regarding subsidies and promotional gifts. These tactics aim to entice customers before the official sales window opens.

Reports indicate that certain mobile phone dealerships and sales points are promising substantial financial benefits and attractive prizes through pre-purchase notifications. However, consumers face potential risks of not receiving the promised subsidies or gifts once they proceed with the actual phone activation. This practice can lead to significant disappointment and financial loss for unsuspecting buyers.

Rather than hastily signing a contract based solely on subsidy information provided by retailers during the pre-purchase period, you must carefully check the conditions specified in the actual contract.

— Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Broadcasting Media Communications CommitteeAdvising consumers to thoroughly review contract terms before finalizing a purchase.

To mitigate these risks, consumers are urged to exercise caution and verify crucial details before committing to a purchase. It is recommended to check the retailer's pre-approval documents and the identification of sales personnel, as mandated by the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association's (KAIT) registered salesperson system implemented in May. Confirming the identity of the advertising retailer and the selling entity is essential for establishing accountability in case of any issues.

Furthermore, buyers must ensure that all promised subsidies and gift provisions are explicitly stated in the contract. If these details are not included in writing, there is no guarantee of receiving them. Keeping a copy of the contract is crucial for future reference. Consumers who experience incomplete sales, such as non-payment of subsidies or failure to provide contracts, can report such incidents through the 'User Participation Reporting System' on the Korea Consumer Agency (KCUP) website.

If you suspect damage due to exaggerated or false advertising, please report it immediately through the user participation reporting system.

— Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Broadcasting Media Communications CommitteeEncouraging consumers to report fraudulent advertising practices.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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