'We'll go over the details at the consultation.' Anyone who has planned a wedding in Korea has heard it. The Fair Trade Commission has now notified 17 wedding halls and wedding-planning agencies that fines are coming for failing to post prices and cancellation penalties properly.
What got them caught
The businesses are wedding halls and wedding-planning agencies across the country. Some left optional-item prices off their websites or contract covers.
Some lumped together information that must be shown separately for each partner business.
Sign up to see prices? That counts too
The FTC says requiring membership sign-up or personal information before showing prices can itself be a violation.
Prices of basic and optional services, cancellation penalties and refund criteria must be posted on the company's own site or the Korea Consumer Agency's 'Chamgagyeok' (price.go.kr), and printed on the contract cover.
The grace period is over
The grace period for the disclosure rule ended in May. Violations continued, so from August the FTC ran focused inspections of major halls and planners.
The firms have received advance notice and have at least 10 days to respond. Final fines are due by the end of October.
A checklist for couples
Before the consultation, check that the company site or Chamgagyeok lists every optional item with a price.
Look for penalties and refund terms on the contract cover, and for separate prices for each partner studio, dress and makeup shop. A site that shows prices only after you sign up deserves a raised eyebrow.
