Despite the number of high-profile cases involving the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) last year (particularly errant vendors in People's Park Complex and Sim Lim Square), the agency revealed today that there was actually a significant drop in the number of complaints filed over 2014.
Compared to the 29,254 complaints lodged in 2013, last year only saw 24,721 cases, marking a 15.5% decrease. Additionally, CASE managed to successfully resolve 85.5% of the filed cases handled in 2014, an 8% increase from the resolution rate in 2013.
The agency attributes the fall in complaints to consumers who are becoming more confident in handling their own disputes (as opposed to letting CASE settle it) and lesser merchants engaging in unfair practices. Furthermore, the widespread media publicity regarding errant businesses have helped raised awareness and caution when dealing with big ticket items.
According to their figures, the industry that's increasingly becoming a problematic issue in terms of ethical business practices seem to be the travel industry, with most consumers filing complaints after being left in a financial lurch when travel agencies abruptly shutter or have their license suspended. "CASE will continue to work closely with the Singapore Tourism Board to address such complaints and see how we can further increase consumer protection" they wrote in the press release.
Photo: Ilyas Sholihyn; CASE newsroom
Despite the number of high-profile cases involving the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) last year (particularly errant vendors in People's Park Complex and Sim Lim Square), the agency revealed today that there was actually a significant drop in the number of complaints filed over 2014.
Compared to the 29,254 complaints lodged in 2013, last year only saw 24,721 cases, marking a 15.5% decrease. Additionally, CASE managed to successfully resolve 85.5% of the filed cases handled in 2014, an 8% increase from the resolution rate in 2013.
The agency attributes the fall in complaints to consumers who are becoming more confident in handling their own disputes (as opposed to letting CASE settle it) and lesser merchants engaging in unfair practices. Furthermore, the widespread media publicity regarding errant businesses have helped raised awareness and caution when dealing with big ticket items.
According to their figures, the industry that's increasingly becoming a problematic issue in terms of ethical business practices seem to be the travel industry, with most consumers filing complaints after being left in a financial lurch when travel agencies abruptly shutter or have their license suspended. "CASE will continue to work closely with the Singapore Tourism Board to address such complaints and see how we can further increase consumer protection" they wrote in the press release.
Photo: Ilyas Sholihyn; CASE newsroom