Mexico's Federal Consumer Prosecutor's Office (Profeco) has called on the public to make informed purchases ahead of the annual 'El Buen Fin' shopping event. The objective, according to the statement, is 'to support the economy of Mexican families, strengthen local commerce, and, above all, guarantee fair, transparent, and equitable trade relations'. As part of this strategy, the Consumer Magazine published a guide to distinguish between a promotion and a sale, to help people make informed decisions and manage their budget. According to the Federal Consumer Protection Law, promotions are 'commercial practices in which additional products, goods, or services are offered for free, at a reduced price, or as incentives to participate in raffles or contests'. In contrast, sales, also known as bargains, discounts, or auctions, consist of 'the offering of products or services of the same quality at prices lower than the common ones in the establishment, for a determined time or until stock runs out'. Profeco emphasized that 'no promotion or sale exempts the right to receive a warranty for the products or services acquired,' and recommended that consumers request this warranty in writing, with the mechanisms and conditions to make it valid. Additionally, the warranty period should not be less than 90 days after the purchase. The agency also reminded consumers of the importance of demanding complete information about the characteristics of the product or service, the terms and conditions of sales or promotions, as well as any restrictions on units or payment methods. Furthermore, it asked to verify that the ticket, invoice, or payment receipt includes a breakdown of the sales or promotions applied. Although El Buen Fin can be an opportunity to purchase necessary items or advance planned shopping, Profeco insisted that 'the most responsible purchase is the one planned in advance'. The department made an appeal to 'compare prices in different online and physical stores, carefully read the terms and conditions, and not be carried away only by the appeal of offers and promotions for unnecessary or low-quality products that can unbalance the budget'. With the start of El Buen Fin approaching, the Federal Consumer Prosecutor's Office (Profeco) called on the population to make informed purchases, compare prices, and not be guided solely by the attractiveness of the offers. The department recalled that the XV edition of El Buen Fin will take place from November 13 to 17, in which the Secretariat of Economy (SE), Profeco, and various organizations from the public and private sectors will participate.
