Consumer complaints increase in January-June in China
( 2003-09-10 16:18) (Agencies)
Consumer complaints registered in China in the first half of this year hit
316,665, an increase of 2. 4 percent over the same period last year, according
to the latest figures released by the China Consumers Association (CCA).
Complaints against price hikes, quality and services relating to sanitary
materials for family use rose 112.5 percent, drugs, 106.5 percent and medical
care accessories, 77.6 percent, mostly because of the SARS (Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak.
However, complaints relating to food, general merchandise, entertainment
businesses and tourism decreased, the CCA said, noting that complaints lodged
against tourism agencies plunged by 45.77 percent in six months, because few
dared to go out.
Panic shopping in major cities across China also led to surge of complaints
on daily commodities. During the SARS period, the number of complaints against
random price rises were 6.4 times higher than last year. However, fake and
shoddy goods were also a major problem in this period of time.
Because of SARS, failure in honoring contracts was another complaint focus in
this period. Consulting agencies, telecommunication services and house
decoration services were the most accused in this respect.
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