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| Subject: Straits Times article on timeshare firms | |
Author: Edwin | [ Next Thread |
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] Date Posted: Mon, Mar 01 2004, 21:53:27 In case you missed this Straits Times article on 1 Mar 04. http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/singapore/story/0,4386,237790,00.html? [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| [> Subject: The Straits Times article on 1 Mar 04 | |
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Author: Deon Ho [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: Tue, Mar 02 2004, 7:56:52 In case straits times website archive the article 3 days later, I've copied the article below. -------------------------------------------------------- Timeshare firm makes peace with Case It writes to watchdog, expressing its readiness to resolve 52 complaints, even before Fair Trading Act kicks in By Arlina Arshad EVEN before the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act came into effect today, it was already having the desired effect. Timeshare company Emperor Resorts International (ERI), which has been in the Consumers Association of Singapore's (Case) black book for a decade, wrote to the watchdog last week to resolve 52 outstanding complaints. The new law empowers Case and consumers to take companies to court over unfair trading practices, which include pressure selling, making false claims and unfair contracts. ERI's customer service manager, Mr Gabriel Tan, told The Straits Times last week that it would now let customers back out if they have filed a complaint with Case within five days of buying a timeshare from ERI. Such purchases cost $16,000 to $22,000. 'As long as customers can produce documents from Case highlighting their intention to withdraw, we'll let them go,' he said. Alternative instalment plans can be arranged for buyers with financial problems, Mr Tan said. But those who want to back out simply because they have changed their minds can't do so. He said company staff who had used high-pressure sales tactics had been counselled. Case received 16,854 complaints of unfair trading practices last year. The most common complaints concerned high-pressure sales tactics - there were 1,468 cases. Not surprisingly, timeshare sellers are the biggest culprits. The new law will require timeshare firms to make a full refund if a customer changes his mind within three days of purchasing a holiday package. Case said it plans to write to six timeshare companies this month: ERI, Leisure Group Marketing, Interval Resorts Network (IRN), Universal Privilege, World Resorts International and travel agency Oriental Travel. After that, it will write to 389 renovation firms, 121 furniture stores, 118 electronic goods shops, 24 car dealers and 20 beauty salons. Said Case executive director Seah Seng Choon: 'We would like to meet them and mediate unresolved cases. Eventually, we want them all to clean up their acts. 'If they refuse to avoid unfair trading practices, we'll apply for court orders,' he said. Three timeshare firms contacted said they welcomed any meeting proposal. IRN managing director Simon Cook said: 'If there are misgivings on Case's part on any matter that may relate to us, we intend to answer them in detail. 'In matters where Case's concerns are justified, we shall act to rectify them. Where they are not, we hope by our explanations to set the record straight.' ERI's Mr Tan said: 'We are doing whatever we can to resolve issues amicably.' All this is good news to people like Mr E.L. Lau, 34, an IT programmer, and Mr Clarence Sin, 26, a civil servant, who both sought to withdraw after agreeing to buy one-week-a-year accommodation packages in Australia from ERI. Mr Lau said he was coerced into giving a $6,400 deposit for a $18,800 plan in 2001 and had complained to Case within a week. He said: 'I can't get my $6,400 back, but at least I know I can withdraw. It's a consolation to know the story has ended. It's an expensive mistake still, but at least the Act has helped consumers in some way.' For more information on the Act, you can visit Case's open house from 10am to 9pm today at Ulu Pandan Community Club in Ghim Moh Road. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: The Straits Times article on 1 Mar 04 | |
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Author: angie [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: Tue, Mar 02 2004, 17:08:44 i guess tis only applies for those who are involve in these few days. wat abt us, those who have suffered for years? for us ho don't know abt any cooling off period then? isn't there any way we can get them down? [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |