Price indication

What it means

Price indication is a trader's duty to inform consumers of the final price of goods or services, including VAT and any fees they must pay. The price must be clearly visible, easy to find and unambiguous, whether in a physical shop, on a website, in a catalogue or in advertising.

For goods sold by weight, volume or length, the unit price, such as per kilogram or litre, must be shown alongside the selling price. This lets consumers easily compare different pack sizes and different traders.

When announcing a discount, under the rules introduced by the Omnibus Directive the trader must also state the lowest price at which the goods were offered in the 30 days before the reduction. The rule prevents the practice of raising prices just before a sale to make the discount look bigger.

How it works in practice

Consumer prices are shown including VAT at the current rate. When the rate changes, price tags, the website and the till system must be updated in time. Prices excluding VAT may be used in offers to businesses, but if a website also serves consumers, the final price must be clear.

Online stores must display the total price including delivery and other fees before the order is completed. With dynamic pricing or personalised prices, consumers must be told if the price was adjusted on the basis of automated decision-making.

Compliance is checked by the Slovak Trade Inspection, which can impose fines. During promotions it is wise to keep a price history so the trader can show from which lowest price in the last 30 days the discount was calculated.

What to watch out for

A difference between the shelf price and the price charged at the till is a frequent inspection finding. The customer is generally entitled to the lower of the prices shown, and repeated discrepancies can lead to penalties, so price tags should be checked regularly.

Misleading price indication, such as hidden fees, dubious struck-through prices or an attractive price that applies only on unfavourable terms, may amount to an unfair commercial practice. Consumer protection law penalises such practices more severely than simple errors on price tags.