Filipino Blackpink fans are on a social media frenzy to criticize online shopping platform Shopee.
The Blinks (Blackpink fans) are furious with how the Blackpink Meet and Greet promo turned out.
Using the hashtag #ShopeeScam, enraged Blinks slammed Shopee for shortchanging them with their Blackpink promo.
https://twitter.com/rvnclwhouse/status/1136673310790438912
https://twitter.com/Idealistic2002/status/1136866562349027328
https://twitter.com/archi_quin12/status/1137042475262996481
Hotel? trivago.
BLINKs? ginago.
ShopeePH? tarantado.#repost#SHOPEESCAMDAY2 #SHOPEESCAM
— Stacy (@stacyandmunch) June 7, 2019
Shopee was supposed to give out 568 tickets for the promo wherein the top 40 spenders during the promo period would have a chance to get autographs and meet up close Blackpink members Lisa, Rosé, Jennie Kim, and Jisoo.
In the original promo mechanics, it was specified that those who join the promo will have to spend a minimum of P4,000 to qualify as a top spender. To qualify, orders must be placed from May 11 to 25 and proof of purchase must be received and completed by June 1, 2019.
However, the rules were allegedly changed on June 5, a day before the event, that is why those who were able to get the invites were allegedly delisted by Shopee because of change in mechanics.
In a twitter thread, one netizen recounted how Shopee scammed Blink fans who thought were able to get to the meet and greet event.
HOW SHOPEE THE SCAMMER TRICKED BLINKS #SHOPEESCAM
A FUCKING THREAD:
(ctto to all the photos used) pic.twitter.com/4XOLPYQBe5
— fromisnt_9 (@me9an) June 6, 2019
These are the list of blinks that spent a BIG AMOUNT OF MONEY but are not able to get the ticket they deserve 🙁#SHOPEESCAM pic.twitter.com/ro8Hb5bEhn
— fromisnt_9 (@me9an) June 6, 2019
But what's more heartbreaking than having false hopes. They received a notif that they've won a ticket but it was taken back in an instant saying there's an error in their system like wtf shopee? Can't u fix everything first before sending out notifs??? @ShopeePH #SHOPEESCAM pic.twitter.com/CwSR50nUbx
— fromisnt_9 (@me9an) June 6, 2019
Apology
Meanwhile, Shopee has already issued an apology regarding the controversy.
On their social media accounts, Shopee Philippines addressed all its users and Blink fans and apologized for the confusion, disappointments, and upsets that its promo has caused.
Their management team also said that they are reaching out to affected parties and they will make sure that no such incidents will happen again in the future.
“We would like to sincerely apologize for the issues involving the Shopee x BLACKPINK meet-and-greet today in Manila.
We hear your feedback loud and clear, and we understand that the event fell short of the high standards that Shopee users and BLACKPINK fans expect.
We are reaching out to all those affected by this issue, and we are also taking steps to ensure that such an incident does not occur again in the future.” said in the statement.
Investigation
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry has started its probed regarding the #ShopeeScam.
In a text message to GMA News by DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez confirmed that they have already started investigating the matter.
“Yes, DTI is investigating,” he said
According to DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Director RonNel Abrenica they’ve already received 10 complaints from buyers who were notified by Shopee that they had qualified for the promo but were removed from the list of winners.
If the investigation finds that Shopee changed the mechanics which is a violation of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, it would face a maximum penalty of P300,000. And it may also be slapped with a penalty of P300,000 per complainant if it is found to have committed deceitful sales.
