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IN 2006, a Singaporean holidaying in Shanghai was told that she was sick, and she paid 22,000 yuan (S$4,500) to a company for medicine.

But, after returning home, she began perspiring excessively after consuming the medicine, which turned out to be a tonic.

When she sought redress from the company, which stated on its business card that it would refund 10 times the cost of its medication if any problem arose, she got back only S$3,228.

But, about two years later, she managed to recover another S$1,550 from the retailer.

She did so with the help of the China Consumers’ Association, which had signed an agreement with the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) in 2005 to resolve consumer-related disputes in China.

Through this agreement and another signed with India’s Consumer Coordination Council in 2005, Case has helped 11 consumers resolve their disputes with retailers in those countries.

Now, Singaporeans who have returned from Macau with unsatisfactory big-ticket buys can get a replacement for their purchases, or a refund, without the trouble of flying all the way back there – as long as they have a receipt.

Yesterday, Case signed an agreement with Macau’s Government Consumer Council (CCM), to protect local consumers who visit Macau from unethical retailing practices there.

Case president Yeo Guat Kwang said: “In the past, it’s very hard for consumers to go after individual vendors, especially if they’ve already flown back home. But, now, they can refer their case to the council, which will liaise with the vendors to help consumers.”

The impetus for this agreement stems from the “substantial increase in visitor flow” from Singapore to Macau, explained Mr Vong Kok Seng, CCM’s general committee president.

Last year, about 256,500 Singaporeans visited Macau.

Case is working on signing an agreement with Malaysia’s Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations, and on establishing an Asean Consumer Council, to improve communication among Asean consumer groups and create a consumer- friendly region.

pamelac@sph.com.sg

For more my paper stories click here.

More protection for travellers

By Pamela Chow, my paper | Tue, Mar 16 2010

Case is working on signing an agreement with Malaysia's Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations.

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