With the gradual relaxation of entry and travel restrictions in many countries and regions, citizens' demand for travel products and services has rebounded.
However, Customs found that the sales staff of a tourism and holiday promotion company located in Tsim Sha Tsui were suspected of using bad business practices to sell memberships, including the sales of membership plans. dues.
Officers took action today (6th) and arrested 6 people from the company involved.
Yang Yuwen, Commander of the Unfair Business Practices Investigation Division of the Copyright and Trademark Investigation Division of Customs, explained the case at a press conference today (6th) evening, saying that Customs had received reports from a number of citizens earlier, alleging that a travel and holiday promotion company in Tsim Sha Tsui was involved in The sales staff, during the promotion of some travel memberships, were suspected of deliberately omitting and concealing important information, and failing to show customers that after paying the membership fee, they still need to pay additional fees before they can use the relevant services.
Another victim pointed out that during the sales process, employees of the company falsely claimed to the victim that they could obtain membership for free and become a member.
However, after the victim signed the document, the salesperson immediately changed his tune and told the victim that he must purchase an additional travel membership of a specified amount (usually tens of thousands to 100,000 yuan) in order to become a member and enjoy related travel services.
In the end, the victim couldn't stand the repeated lobbying of the sales staff, and had no choice but to pay huge fees to purchase the travel membership recommended by the staff.
After investigation, the Customs took action today (6th) and arrested 6 employees (aged 21 to 63) of the company involved in the case, and seized a batch of documents and mobile phones suspected of being related to the case at the company's meeting site. The investigation will continue. .
Customs found that the company involved in the case sold membership in a twisted way, such as contacting customers through some telephone interviews. After obtaining the customer's name and contact number and other information, the staff would then call these customers and invite them to visit the company in person to listen to some tours. Lectures, and to receive free gifts as a solicitation.
When customers arrive at the relevant sales location, the staff will sell them a travel membership plan. The general membership fee ranges from about 80,000 to 100,000 yuan. The whole sales process usually lasts for several hours, during which multiple staff will take turns. Lobbying customers.
When customers express their desire to leave, the staff will dissuade them in different ways. In some cases, some staff have seized the personal belongings of the customers, preventing the customers from leaving. Later, the customers wanted to escape and had no choice but to sign up.
When the staff sold the membership plan, they did not clearly explain the terms and conditions of the contract to the customer, including that even if the customer has paid the full membership fee, they must bear other additional fees, otherwise they cannot enjoy the relevant services.
The staff will also make clever plans to make customers buy higher-priced travel memberships.
Customs said that it understands that with the gradual relaxation of entry and travel restrictions in many regions, the public's demand for products and services such as travel membership will rebound, but when purchasing these travel memberships, you should measure your needs and affordability, and do not take it lightly. Before signing a contract, you must read the relevant contract terms clearly.
