Background on Profeco and Gameplanet
The Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco), Mexico’s consumer protection agency, has been actively ensuring that businesses adhere to consumer rights. Recently, Profeco turned its attention to the video game retail chain Gameplanet, following the detection of various irregularities in compliance with consumer protection regulations.
Gameplanet is a popular video game retail chain in Mexico, offering a wide range of games and consoles to customers across multiple stores in the capital city. Given its prominence, any non-compliance with consumer rights regulations could have significant implications for both the company and its customers.
Profeco’s Inspection and Findings
Between October 13 and 21, Profeco’s Telecommunications Subprocuratorate team conducted surveillance visits to several Gameplanet stores in México City. The first inspection took place at the Metrópoli Patriotismo store, where the provider failed to provide five standard verification points during these routine checks.
Based on these observations, Profeco extended its inspections to other Gameplanet locations: Plaza Universidad, Galerías Insurgentes, Forum Buenavista, Perisur, Plaza Oasis Coyoacán, Parque Delta, and Zona Rosa.
Detected Non-Compliances
During the inspections, Profeco identified several violations of the Ley Federal de Protección al Consumidor, including:
- Failure to display the registered consumer contract with Profeco
- Not providing copies of the contract to buyers
- Absence of the minimum user rights letter
- In some cases, lack of visible prices and tariffs on products
Stores at Plaza Universidad, Galerías Insurgentes, Forum Buenavista, and Perisur exhibited the majority of these irregularities, leading to suspension notices being placed on non-compliant stores.
Meanwhile, Plaza Oasis Coyoacán and Parque Delta stores complied with all five verification points, while Zona Rosa failed to display or hand out the minimum user rights letter.
Gameplanet’s Corrective Measures
Following the initial inspections, Gameplanet took corrective actions such as compiling documentation, updating their website, and placing QR codes for customer information access.
Profeco conducted an additional visit to the Parque Tezontle store, confirming that Gameplanet now met all five verification points.
The Dirección General de Protección al Consumidor de Telecomunicaciones also verified that Gameplanet has submitted documentation and proof of corrections to request the removal of precautionary measures.
Impact and Importance
Through these inspections, Profeco aims to strengthen consumer rights protection, ensuring that businesses—including video game retailers like Gameplanet—operate in compliance with the law and maintain transparency towards their customers.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who conducted the inspections? The Telecommunications Subprocuratorate team of Profeco (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor).
- What were the main violations found? Failure to display consumer contracts, not providing contract copies, absence of minimum user rights letters, and lack of visible product prices and tariffs.
- What corrective actions did Gameplanet take? Compiled documentation, updated their website, and placed QR codes for customer information access.
- What is the significance of these inspections? To ensure businesses adhere to consumer rights regulations and maintain transparency with their customers.
