When you feel like you’re being bullied when salespeople try to make you buy extra cable TV channels, or extra-large mobile data plans, or extra-long gym memberships, it’s probably because you are.
In fact, the authorities had to step in and make four arrests after a person complained that staff at a Physical gym charged her credit card without her permission for a 10-year fitness club membership worth HKD38,000.
The Customs and Excise Department has not yet returned our request for more details.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, the customs department suspected that the staff’s actions constituted an offence as they “engag[ed] in an aggressive commercial practice” and “exert[ed] undue influence” during their sales pitch.
Since last month, three women and one man, aged between 35 and 59, were arrested in connection to the case.
The authorities are still investigating while the arrestees were released on bail.
A person has violated the law if “he or she uses harassment, coercion or undue influence to impair the consumer’s freedom of choice or conduct in relation to a product which causes or is likely to cause the consumer to make a transactional decision”.
To be safe, the customs department reminds you to not “casually” show your ID or credit cards to salespeople, and to “firmly refuse” to sign any documents if you have no intention of purchasing any goods or services. In short, don’t be suckers.
Photo: Jeff Blackler via Flickr
