Does winning a consumer award make you the best?

Q. Carina Tipton of Makati writes: "I’ve noticed a number of newspaper ads of manufacturers claiming they have been awarded as best product by certain consumer groups. I want to know if these are legitimate awards. What criteria do these consumer groups use to determine who will win an award? Do they actually conduct product testing? Or do they base it on the number of units sold? Do they solicit votes? From whom? Can I rely on these awards when making decisions about which products I should buy?

A . The Department of Trade and Industry does not endorse awards given by consumer groups to manufacturers.

First of all, Consumer International, the international union of consumer organizations, does not allow this and considers it an unethical practice. International consumer organizations rules prohibit the advertisement/endorsement of products by consumer organizations.

Secondly, the criteria used to nominate candidates and to determine winners are not clear. The consumer groups claim they conduct product testing. To keep the competition fair among all manufacturers, they should test all products across all categories to be able to determine which is best for a specific category. It is doubtful they are able to do this because product testing is a very expensive process. Even the DTI, which has facilities to test the quality of consumer products, cannot claim to test all the products in the market.

Lastly, rather than award a particular manufacturer for a particular product, DTI would rather develop quality and safety standards that will be strictly followed by all manufacturers.

When buying products, look for the PS (Philippine Standard) mark or the ICC mark for imported products. Products with these marks have been tested and have been found to meet quality and safety standards.

Q. Floresa Maceda-Guiron of Burauen, Leyte writes: "My mother received a letter from NPC Sources Development Corp., signed by a certain Manuel Blanco, customer service supervisor, informing her that she has won a 4 x 4 Sequoia as a second prize in NPC’s quarterly raffle draw. The date was June 8, 2002.

A few days later, Mr. Blanco came to our house. He said that to claim the prize, my mother would have to pay for the transfer fee, registration fee, LTO fee, attorney’s fee and a host of other fees. In all, the processing fees amounted to P11,500.

I didn’t give Mr. Blanco the money then because he didn’t have the prize with him. He said that he would return at the end of the week and told me to prepare the said amount. He even told me to have lechon ready when he comes back!

It has been more than a month since Mr. Blanco came to our house, but he hasn’t returned yet.

I would like your office to check out if the contest is for real. Does NPC really have such a contest? I have a feeling that Mr. Blanco is a swindler because he didn’t come back to our house when he was supposed to.

If the NPC is not conducting such a contest, then they must be informed that their name is being used for such swindling activities. The public must also be warned about such modus operandi. However, if this is truly a legitimate contest, then our prize must be sent to us immediately.

A. According to its public affairs department, the National Power Corp. has not conducted such a raffle draw. The only similar activity they had was the bingo games for their employees, which was held during the Napocor anniversary celebration last Nov. 8, 2002.

Napocor is not connected to any corporation called NPC Sources Development Corp.

We have furnished Napocor with your letter for their appropriate action. We have also checked the registration of NPC Sources Development with the Securities and Exchange Commission and there is no such company registered. All corporations must be registered with the SEC to become legitimate.

We commend you for your alertness and for exercising caution in your dealings with Mr. Blanco. You are correct in not giving Mr. Blanco your money when he didn’t have the "prize" with him.

Unfortunately, the DTI has no jurisdiction over such swindlers and con artists as Mr. Blanco because their actions are of a criminal nature. We suggest you also report the matter to the police in your area so that Mr. Blanco cannot pursue his swindling activities anymore.

(You may send your consumer complaints and comments to the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection, DTI Bldg., 361 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City. Call us at our consumer hotlines at 896-5740 or 890-4938 or e-mail us at www.e-reklamo.net.ph)