In the digital age, QR codes have become a bridge between the real and the virtual, however, a recent QR code scanning campaign involving Jinmailang instant noodles has unexpectedly attracted questions from consumers.
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On May 9th, many consumers encountered the same strange thing, they bought a barrel of instant noodles, the lid printed with the slogan "100% winning" and a QR code, winning the lottery was originally a happy thing, everyone will naturally want to scan it and try, but without their knowledge, they were automatically ordered to a mobile phone data package or paid membership service.
A netizen shared his experience on social media. He bought a bucket of Jinmailang instant noodles and was attracted by the "100% winning little red envelope" on the package. He scanned the QR code on the package, and was automatically deducted 25 yuan, saying that a 25 yuan traffic package was opened. He immediately contacted Jinmailang customer service, and the reply he received was that the customer service would give feedback to the relevant person in charge, but he had no intention of solving the problem immediately.
The incident quickly caused an uproar online, with many netizens expressing their anger and disappointment on social media. Some netizens even said: "I'm so poor that I eat instant noodles, and you still cheat me!" ”
In order to expose the truth, the reporter of Xiaoxiang Morning News personally purchased Jinmailang instant noodles for testing. Sure enough, as mentioned by netizens, after scanning the QR code, the page shows three opportunities to "click me to draw red envelopes". However, these so-called red envelopes are actually hidden paid services. In the test, the reporter first "won" a 19.9 yuan APP member, and then "won" a coupon that needs to enter a mobile phone number, and in the process of entering the mobile phone number, a line of small print appeared at the bottom of the page, prompting the opening of a joint response, leading popular members + phone bills, business tariffs 6-29 yuan. This information is easy to ignore, and the reporter is unknowingly deducted 20 yuan.
This incident is not just a personal consumer experience, but a widespread problem. Many netizens began to share their experiences of being automatically ordered after scanning the promotion QR code.
Consumers feel passive and helpless about this marketing method, but more voices are dissatisfied with it, believing that this hidden expense deduction method violates consumers' right to know and choose. Consumers are quietly deducted without fully understanding the situation, which is obviously an infringement of consumer rights.
Jinmailang has also responded to the "instant noodle scanning code deduction": customers can contact the company for a refund after opening a traffic package after winning a coupon.
The relevant authorities also intervened in the investigation. The State Administration for Market Regulation said it will investigate such marketing practices to find out whether there is fraud against consumers and will deal with them in accordance with the law. At the same time, consumers are also reminded to read all the information on the page carefully before scanning the code, especially the small print that is easy to ignore.
In addition, some legal experts pointed out that according to the Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests, consumers have the right to know and the right to make their own choices. Any merchant should ensure transparency and clearly inform consumers of the fees and services when conducting promotional activities. If the merchant withholds information and misleads the consumer, then the consumer has every right to claim compensation.
Write at the end
Although this incident exposed some non-standard marketing methods in the market, it also made consumers aware of the importance of self-protection. Once again, consumers are reminded that when participating in various lottery activities, they must carefully read the rules of the event and remain vigilant during the operation to avoid unnecessary losses.