Goods and services complaints up 5% in 2018

Vaccination grievances climbed four times amidst the inadequate supply of the HPV vaccine.

The Consumer Council revealed that complaints regarding goods and services in Hong Kong rose 5% YoY to 26,165 in 2018, reports South China Morning Post.

Data showed that grievances within the services sector made up 59% of the complaints as it jumped 11% YoY to 15,453 in 2018. Meanwhile, complaints related to goods dipped 3% YoY.

The agency noted that the 2,207 complaints regarding vaccinations is almost four times higher compared to the 2017 record amidst the concern for inadequate supply of the anti-cancer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil. More than 90% of said grievances were filed by Mainland visitors in 2018.

Despite this, 90% of the vaccination complaints have been settled, council chief executive Gilly Wong noted.

Meanwhile, the council also urged for necessary action for the rising disputes caused by e-commerce mainly due to inaccurate descriptions of goods and late deliveries. E-commerce grievances climbed 25% YoY to 4,982 where 30% accounted for travel matters.