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.
DIVIDED VIEWS: Although the Fed agreed on holding rates steady, some officials see no rate cuts for this year, while 10 policymakers foresee two or more cuts There are a lot of unknowns about the outlook for the economy and interest rates, but US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled at least one thing seems certain: Higher prices are coming. Fed policymakers voted unanimously to hold interest rates steady at a range of 4.25 percent to 4.50 percent for a fourth straight meeting on Wednesday, as they await clarity on whether tariffs would leave a one-time or more lasting mark on inflation. Powell said it is still unclear how much of the bill would fall on the shoulders of consumers, but he expects to learn more about tariffs
NOT JUSTIFIED: The bank’s governor said there would only be a rate cut if inflation falls below 1.5% and economic conditions deteriorate, which have not been detected The central bank yesterday kept its key interest rates unchanged for a fifth consecutive quarter, aligning with market expectations, while slightly lowering its inflation outlook amid signs of cooling price pressures. The move came after the US Federal Reserve held rates steady overnight, despite pressure from US President Donald Trump to cut borrowing costs. Central bank board members unanimously voted to maintain the discount rate at 2 percent, the secured loan rate at 2.375 percent and the overnight lending rate at 4.25 percent. “We consider the policy decision appropriate, although it suggests tightening leaning after factoring in slackening inflation and stable GDP growth,”
Greek tourism student Katerina quit within a month of starting work at a five-star hotel in Halkidiki, one of the country’s top destinations, because she said conditions were so dire. Beyond the bad pay, the 22-year-old said that her working and living conditions were “miserable and unacceptable.” Millions holiday in Greece every year, but its vital tourism industry is finding it harder and harder to recruit Greeks to look after them. “I was asked to work in any department of the hotel where there was a need, from service to cleaning,” said Katerina, a tourism and marketing student, who would
i Gasoline and diesel prices at fuel stations are this week to rise NT$0.1 per liter, as tensions in the Middle East pushed crude oil prices higher last week, CPC Corp, Taiwan (台灣中油) and Formosa Petrochemical Corp (台塑石化) said yesterday. International crude oil prices last week rose for the third consecutive week due to an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, as the market is concerned that the situation in the Middle East might affect crude oil supply, CPC and Formosa said in separate statements. Front-month Brent crude oil futures — the international oil benchmark — rose 3.75 percent to settle at US$77.01
RSS