Verkoopetuksena

Verkoopetuksena is a Finnish term used to describe deceptive sales practices, where a seller attempts to induce a consumer to purchase by misleading information, hidden terms, or concealment of essential facts. The phrase is not a formal crime on its own, but it is used in consumer protection discourse to label conduct that undermines informed decision-making in a sale.

In legal practice, acts described as verkoopetuksena fall under broader prohibitions on misleading and unfair commercial practices. Finnish consumer protection laws, and general contract law, regulate how sellers may present prices, goods, guarantees, and return terms. Enforcement is typically carried out by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (Kilpailu- ja kuluttajavirasto, KKV) and, when appropriate, the courts. Remedies for consumers may include contract nullification, price corrections, refunds, damages, or other compensation, depending on the circumstances and applicable legislation.

Common forms of verkoopetuksena include bait pricing or false discounts, misrepresentation of product features or stock availability, hidden fees or terms buried in the fine print, and high-pressure sales tactics that mislead about rights of return or warranty. The term is most often used in media reports, academic discussions, and consumer rights advocacy to describe practices that harm buyers by exploiting information asymmetry.

See also: deceptive advertising, bait-and-switch, unfair commercial practices, consumer protection law, misrepresentation, fraud, Kilpailu- ja kuluttajavirasto.