Homeplus under probe over product description

The Fair Trade Commission said Monday it is looking into whether Homeplus broke the law with an allegedly misleading advertisement for discount LED monitors sold at its stores last week.

Homeplus, the country’s No. 2 retail chain, was offering the LED monitors for as low as 199,000 won ($178.56) at its 122 stores nationwide.

Some buyers, however, were angry to discover that the monitors were not equipped with speakers, whereas the information kit noted two speakers were included.

“We’re currently securing data involving the issue such as Homeplus’ product promotion methods, including the distributed pamphlets, and how exactly the purchases were made by the customers,” said a FTC official.

“Homeplus officials said the information was made public at least on site, so we’re planning to look more deeply into that.”

The watchdog called in a representative from Homeplus to explain the situation on Monday. It said that it will either warn or fine the second-biggest supermarket chain if it is found guilty.

But the firm will escape punishment if it turns out that customers were given sufficient information about the missing speakers prior to purchasing the discounted monitors, an official added.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)