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After persistent calls and complaints from BLACKPINK fans, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now investigating Shopee for its controversial meet-and-greet event. It’s also possible the e-commerce site will be fined if found guilty of violating their own mechanics. Let’s just say the money involved is BIG.
Trade secretary Ramon Lopez told ABS-CBN that they received at least 10 complaints against Shopee. He added that around 116 (GMA News reported 119) customers were not allowed entry to the event. These were also the fans whose meet-and-greet tickets were suddenly revoked despite being notified they had won the contest.
Shopee reportedly said there was a system error, and that the fans who complained weren’t really part of the top 568 spenders. In the mechanics, it stated that they will have a pass to enter the event, while 40 will meet BLACKPINK.
READ MORE: BLACKPINK’s Jennie allegedly had a panic attack during their M&G event in Manila
“The 119 were not supposed to be given tickets as they were after the May 25 deadline to receive tickets. So the 119 inadvertently bumped off, they’re supposed to get tickets but didn’t get tickets to get in,” Lopez told GMA News.
During the meet-and-greet event, fans accused Shopee of changing the rules at the last minute to accommodate influencers and celebrities. If found guilty, Shopee could pay a fine of at least P300,000. DTI-Trade Enforcement Bureau head Ronnel Abrenica also told Inquirer.net that Shopee will pay “for each customer deceived by the contest.”
If what Abrenica said is true, the total fine could be over P35 million. Yikes.
Regardless, DTI has ordered Shopee to compensate the aggrieved party and that the site’s team is now getting in touch with the affected customers. “They should have a program to settle all complaints. We will watch this closely,” Lopez said.
We just have to wait for DTI’s final decision on the matter. We will update you once more details emerge.
Photo courtesy of BLACKPINK’s Instagram account
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