Imagine being told: “Here’s an app that will help you find the cheapest prices in markets!” Sounds like a dream, right? But hold on! Murisa Marić, Executive Director of the Consumer Protection Association Don Prijedor, bursts this bubble like a soap bubble. According to her, this app will NOT reduce the high markups that choke us when buying basic groceries.
Is this app just another marketing scam? Marić says yes. She points out that the app’s goal is to let consumers compare prices across different markets, but it won’t lead to real price drops. Why? Because markups remain unregulated, and basic groceries will still be expensive.
Imagine how hard it is to update prices for tens of thousands of products every day! Will the app really cover everything or just a handful of items? And what about the older population who aren’t tech-savvy? Will they be able to use this app? Marić wonders and stresses that a state-level regulation limiting markups is needed, not just an app that serves as a promotion for retailers.
The example with fuel prices is another proof that apps aren’t magic wands. People would have to check every morning where fuel is cheaper, which is impractical.
Denis Šulić from the Trade and Tourism Industry of Republika Srpska claims the app works, but experiences with similar apps show they are often unavailable or not updated.
So, while we wait for the state to finally limit markups and protect consumers, this app might just be another marketing trick. What do you think? Will this app really help you or is it just another illusion? Share your thoughts — maybe together we’ll find a solution that actually works!
