Fake shop discounts on manacube, and how it may break laws in many places.

[rew]

You know how the official price of ELITE is usually 600$? That seems like a pretty big chunk of money, but worry not. It's almost always on discount! Unfortunately, that may be an illegal practice in many places.

Germany: https://lexetius.com/2008,4286
In 2008, a home improvement supply retailer ''Praktiker'' got charged for running a ''20% of everything campaign'' while raising their prices just a week prior.

Australia: https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/ACCC v Kogan Australia Pty Ltd_Concise Statement.pdf
Kogan, an Australian online shopping website, was caught emailing fake ''Ends in 48h!'' e-mails on prices that were always there. In addition to that, same case as Germany, jacking up the prices before releasing a discount.

UK: ASA laws state a product needs to be sold at it's original price for x weeks before being able to sell it at discount price. As far as i remember, ELITE rank has been on discount for 99% of it's lifetime.

EU: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citize...ment/unfair-commercial-practices/index_en.htm
False use of limited offers is not allowed anywhere in the EU.

You can decide on your own whether manacube is breaching these laws, i'm just here to bring about the idea of it.

 

[Sonic_Raptor]

You are referring to false advertising and raising of prices before something is sold. From my point of view what Manacube does is provide a constant sale to incite the belief that someone is getting a good deal on something. Whilst this is potentially a unethical approach from what I've looked at it breaks no laws. Also you should research precedents for where the Manacube / Buycraft store is located and licensed and where Manacube is based itself if you are looking for potential precedents in consumer law of what is and isn't illegal a or regulated practice. The perception of a sale is something your local supermarket uses and so does Manacube. I'll also note that there have been times where there have been no sales on the store and everything has been full price.

In reference to the Kogan issue they raised prices directly before the sale. Bar different sale discounts Elite has had two price points since release and the other ranks have been consistent for years with a base price. Really good to see you using sources and educating others on consumer law and what is and isn't illegal!

Raptor