Consumer Rights Better Protected in ChinaLocal administrations for industry and commerce throughout China handled more than 139,500 cases involving fake and shoddy products in the first half of this year, preventing consumers from losses totaling 534 million yuan (US$ 64 million).In 60 cities above the prefecture level alone, the local administrations uncovered 12,000-plus cases which involved production or sales of shoddy goods during the January-June period, according to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC). The combined value of goods in these cases stood at 184 million yuan. More than 90,000 consumer complaints were dealt with in the 60 cities in the six months, and a compensation of 52 million yuan was given to consumers. According to a SAIC official, consumers complained more about services than shoddy goods -- usually it's the other way around. The lion's share of the gripes, 5,400, were related to inconvenient telecommunications services. Of all age groups, women, children and the elderly were most likely to be the victims of cons, the official pointed out. |
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