The nation's Consumer Protection Commission yesterday said it would keep a close eye on Eastern Home Shopping Network (東森得易購), the cash cow of Eastern Multimedia Group (EMG, 東森媒體集團), to monitor possible negative effects following the EMG scandal.
Once a financial crisis occurs and affects the shopping network, serious disputes are likely to arise, the commission said.
Eastern Home is the largest shopping platform in the nation, with five TV channels, one Web site and catalogues serving 3.5 million members.
"We haven't received any complaints regarding Eastern Home but will pay close attention to any developments and keep in contact with the ombudsmen of local governments," Hsi Shih-min (
Eastern Home has yet to report check-bouncing irregularities, he said.
While most consumers can receive the products they purchase within days of placing orders, some are worried that group tour packages and insurance policies, whose deadlines for delivery are much longer, might not be guaranteed if the company's operations are disturbed.
Hsi said in the case of irregularities, the travel agencies and insurers that cooperate with Eastern Home would be responsible for honoring the contracts.
Eastern Home reiterated yesterday that the firm's operations remain normal.
None of its retailers has moved to cut off cooperation, said Rita Fang (
The shopping network last year raked in sales of NT$20 billion (US$606.4 million) and expects to reach NT$30 billion this year after adding a fifth TV channel early this year.
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