THE Department of Trade and Industry put its foot down and warned online sellers against imposing a “no video, no refund policy.”

Complaints reached the DTI on the alleged policy of several online sellers utilizing "no video, no refund" policy so that their customers will be asked to record themselves when they accept and open their orders. 

Should the item be deemed as defective, only those with videos will be considered for a replacement or refund.

But according to DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles, such policy of a “no return, no refund, or exchange policy” is a gross deception, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts or practices.

They said that this is in violation of Republic Act 7394, also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

"Sa katotohanan, 'yung 'no return, no exchange' isa rin yan na ipinagbabawal ng DTI kasi karapatan ng consumer na pwede niyang ibalik 'yung item na nabili niya kapag ito ay depektibo. Kapag 'yung item ay depektibo, bukod sa ibalik yung item, may option din siya na humingi ng replacement o pwede rin siyang humingi ng full refund ng item na binili niya, pwede rin niyang ipa-repair," she said in a radio interview over dzBB.

Likewise, Nograles said that the deceptive sales acts can happen before, during, and after the sale.

"Isang halimbawa 'yan ng deceptive sales act yung nagpapa-video ka bago tanggapin yung item," she added.