The reason why the top number on electronic scales at seafood markets is the price, not the weight

Cases are occurring where consumers suffer losses by mistaking the largest number shown on an electronic scale by a merchant for the weight when purchasing goods at seafood markets. The new type of scale scam currently trending in seafood markets is a method of deceiving consumers by exploiting the screen layout characteristics of electronic scales.

The top number on the electronic scale is the 'price', not the weight

According to a video from Ipjil-ui-chueok TV jiminTV, some merchants use a method to deceive consumers regarding weight when using electronic scales. The method involves the merchant confirming they have zeroed the scale by placing a yellow basket on it, and then after placing the goods, guiding the consumer to believe the largest number displayed at the top of the screen is the weight.

However, in the actual screen layout of electronic scales, the largest number displayed at the top is often not the weight, but the 'selling price' of the item. The actual weight is displayed in the slot immediately below it. For example, a merchant might say, "It came out to 2.2kg," but upon checking the actual weight slot, it could be a case where it is actually 1,255g. In particular, if numbers like 1.7 or 1.8 are pre-set in the unit price setting slot of the scale, this can be used as a technique to inflate the price by multiplying the weight by the unit price, so caution is required.

Caution against seafood false advertising and confusion in fish species labeling

In addition to the scale scam, other points to be careful of when purchasing seafood were mentioned in the video. Cases of false advertising were reported, such as a specific business promoting 'sturdy sizes' and selling expensive squid, but actually providing very small-sized squid. This is an act that prevents consumers from being guaranteed value commensurate with the price they paid, and it is a major cause of declining trust in the seafood market.

Furthermore, the issue of confusing the labeling of Okdom (red seabream) and Okduo (red seabream/red snapper) in broadcasts and elsewhere was pointed out. This is because, although Okduo is a high-quality species that is not inferior to Okdom, there were frequent cases in the past of selling cheap imported Okduo by deceiving people that it was Okdom. From the consumer's perspective, since they have the right to purchase the exact fish species they want, it is important to check whether the merchant clearly distinguishes and labels the fish species. The video emphasized that such dishonest selling practices must be eradicated for trust in the seafood market to be restored.