An investigation by the Consumers’ Foundation into the practices of Internet food vendors showed that a majority failed to provide clear explanations for their return and exchange policies and that many charged “unreasonable” fees on certain payment methods.
Although online shopping has been around for some time, few people are aware of their consumer rights when they purchase items on the Internet, the consumer rights watchdog said.
The foundation last month monitored 10 of the most popular businesses that sell food and beverage products via online channels to determine whether their policies were consumer friendly.
Although Article 19 of the Consumer Protection Act (消費者保護法) states that consumers have a seven-day grace period to return or exchange goods purchased through channels in which the user may not have the chance to examine the product ahead of the purchase — ie, through mail order, direct order, TV infomercials and the Internet — many online stores do not clearly state this on their Web site, the foundation said.
It said its survey of the online shopping sites showed that 90 percent did not clearly explain the terms of returns and exchanges in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act.
“Many [online shopping Web sites] state that once the consumer opens the product packaging, no returns or exchanges would be accepted,” foundation chairwoman Joann Su (蘇錦霞) said. “However, this is unreasonable, as consumers have the right to examine a product and return it if it is unsatisfactory.”
Several companies do not offer consumers the option to pay upon receipt, while others charge an extra fee if consumers choose this option, which the foundation said was unreasonable because the processing fee should be the responsibility of the vendor.
Online vendors that refuse to provide exchanges if the consumer does not report a defective product within a day of purchase are also in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, Su said.
The foundation reminded consumers they are entitled to returns and exchanges within seven days of making purchases through special channels such as the Internet, and that companies that refuse to provide this service are violating the law.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS