Spring is upon us and that means the beginning of tourist season in the District of Columbia. Thousands of visitors from near and far will visit the city to enjoy the many attractions we have to offer. One of the highlights in spring are the cherry blossoms.
Cherry Blossom Season brings many residents and visitors to the Tidal Basis and the National Mall, and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection's (DLCP) Consumer Protection Unit (CPU) wants you to be aware of your consumer rights during the peak vendor season.
To vend in the District, a vendor is required to be licensed and have a Vending Site Permit authorizing them to vend in a specific location. However, some vendors operate in the District illegally, which poses health and safety risks to consumers, and some vendors may engage in unfair and deceptive practices that could cost you money and other harm.
Illegal and unlicensed vendors have been known to:
- Conduct business in restricted zones and areas, leading to public safety issues.
- Engage in deceptive and inconsistent pricing, costing consumers money.
- Not adhere to the required vendor license requirements, food safety regulations, and necessary health inspection certifications, leading to the sale of harmful food and goods.
Below are a few tips to help keep you safe and from becoming a victim of unfair and deceptive trade practices by vendors:
- Request to see the vendor’s Vending Business License.
- Verify if the vendor has a Health Inspection Certificate, Food Protection Manager certificate, and a propane or open flame permit, if required.
- If there are multiple vendors in one area, shop around for the best deal to avoid price gauging.
- Always ask the price of an item before purchasing. If you are charged a different price, that is deceptive pricing and grounds for filing a complaint with CPU.
- Always request a receipt after completing your purchase.
- Following your purchase, be sure to check with your financial institution to make sure you were charged the right amount.
You may file a complaint with CPU if a vendor is unlicensed, operating illegally, or has engaged in an unfair and deceptive trade practice. To file a complaint, visit the link here.
Contact DLCP at [email protected] or 202-671-4500 if you have questions or for more information.