HONG KONG: One in four shoppers in the city have fallen prey to dishonest sales tactics and spent thousands of dollars on faulty goods or services they didn't want, according to a study conducted by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB).

The survey found that 23 percent of respondents were talked into buying goods and services by salesmen who employed deceitful, legally dubious or harassing tactics.

The survey titled "Consumer Protection Opinion Poll" interviewed 610 residents aged 16 or above last month. Study results showed that up to 65 percent of interviewees think shoppers are poorly protected in Hong Kong.

Eight percent of those who fell victim to dishonest sales tactics spent more than HK$50,000.

Last year, the Consumer Council received a record-high 42,050 complaints. The DAB contends the complaints still do not reflect the full magnitude of the problem.

The survey found that only 11 percent of shoppers who encounter dishonest sales tactics report to the Consumer council.

The DAB suggested the government implement ten measures to protect consumers. The list included tightening regulations on counterfeit goods, mandating that all retailers put price tags on goods they sell, publicizing the list of consumer complaints and stepping up shop inspections.

Starry Lee Wai-king, a DAB legislator, said that the party is proposing the implementation of these ten measures because it will make shoppers feel safe when shopping in Hong Kong. "If we don't do something quickly, the city's reputation for being a 'shopping haven' could be a thing of the past," she said.

The DAB urged the government to give the Consumer Council the power to prosecute dishonest companies and to enshrine in legislation a cooling-off period for consumers after they have signed a contract.

A woman named Chan described herself as a victim of dishonest sales tactics at a slimming center. She said initially she bought a package because of the low price. Staff members quickly began pressing her on a bigger and more expensive package.

Chan said, "I feel like I am constantly forced to buy packages. I told the staff I could not afford such expensive packages, but they brushed this aside."

Chan said she now feels anxious that she will be lured into a similar scam in the future. She calls on the government to bring in stronger consumer protection legislation.

(HK Edition 08/13/2009 page1)