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Be careful when using a moving service via an internet portal site! 게시글 상세보기 - 등록일, 조회수, 첨부파일, 상세내용, 이전글, 다음글 제공

Be careful when using a moving service via an internet portal site!

Date

2009-02-12

Hit

3341

Be careful when using a moving service via an internet portal site!

Recently, consumers are advised to beware of increasing damages involving moving services.

The Korea Consumer Agency reminds consumers to be careful when using a moving services via an internet portal site.

Year

2006

2007

(As of Dec. 5, 2008)

No. of claims (cases)

3,148

2,178

2,439

Type of consumer damages relating to moving services

(Period : January 1^st~December 5,. 2008)

Type of Damage

No. of claims (%)

Remarks

Damages /Defects

1,358 cases (55.7%)

Loss

324 cases (13.3%)

Poor services

215 cases (8.8%)

uninstallation of equipment such as air conditioner, dishwasher or water purifier, lack of finishing touch

Contract Cancellation

181 cases (7.4%)

Refusal to refund a deposit after contract cancellation

Rate

151 cases (6.2%)

Additional charge requests including optional fees, tips

Breach of contract

102 cases (4.2%)

Delivery failure, discrepancy between contracted vehicles

Late Delivery

49 cases (2.0%)

Others

59 cases (2.4%)

Total

2,439 cases(100.0%)

Recently, consumers use more moving services via an internet portal site. It is likely that consumer damages frequently occur than ever before.

In particular, many consumers have suffered from the responsibility issues with internet portal site operators who have some sort of excuse saying that they only arranged the services between consumers and the moving company.

Thereby, consumers should receive a copy of the contract with the company name after verifying the company certificate from the relevant district office.

▣  Consumer damages

[Case 1 ] Loss & defects after using moving services via an internet portal site

A consumer paid KRW 830,000 for the moving service via the internet. In October 2008, some household goods including a bicycle, air conditioner and other items were lost during a move.

The business operator promised a compensation of KRW 570,000 to the consumer, but they didn’t keep their promise.

[Case 2] Request of additional charges on the moving day after the contract conclusion via the internet.

In November 2008, a consumer made a contract for KRW 500,000 via the internet and paid a deposit of KRW 20,000. However, a porter asked an additional charge of KRW 150,000 for excess baggage on the moving day. Thereby he cancelled the contract and he had a hard time arranging a move through another company. He asked for the compensation due to breaching of contract and he was told that only a deposit of KRW 20,000 was refundable.

▣ Recommendations for consumers

It is advised of consumers to read the following compensation measures carefully in moving services.

※ The Regulations on Consumer Dispute Resolution

(No. 2008-3, freight forwarders act), notified by the Korea Fair Trade Commission

Any loss, defects of or damage to goods due to business operator’s default

→compensation for damage

Contract cancellation due to business operator’s intention or default

① One day prior notice before moving day → Refund of a deposit and a 20% refund of the contract amount

② Notice on moving day → Refund of a deposit and a 40% refund of the contract amount

③ No notice on moving day → Refund of a deposit and a full refund of the contract amount

Contract cancellation due to consumer’s intention or default

① One day prior notice before moving day → 10% compensation of the contract amount

② Notice on moving day → 20% compensation of the contract amount

Late delivery due to business operator’s intention or default

→ Direct compensation within the contract amount for damage caused by time delay

Business operator’s unfair charge request or mover’s demand for additional fees

→ Unfair charge refund and correction

Late delivery due to consumer’s default

→ Direct compensation for damage due to time delay

Make sure to correctly write the company name, address, and representative name on the contract since the business operator is responsible for compensating consumer damages.

Keep a copy of the contract containing the name of the internet portal site when concluding a contract.

Need to confirm that the moving service company is certified by relevant agency and the company has performance guarantee insurance.

※ Contact for freight forwarders: relevant district office or Korea freight forwarder associations (☏ 02-2082-8484)

Working condition should be mentioned including cargo truck size, No. of trucks, No. of porters, arrival time and use of ladder truck.



※ Consumers need to list cargo details in order to check them out with the carrier on the spot. Consumers are recommended to carry all valuables with them.

Confirmation note is required to be taken on the spot when consumer damages occur. It is advised that consumers should ask for help to the Korea Consumer Agency with necessary documents such as confirmation note, photos, certifications of contents, damage quotes and contract copy.

  Consumer counseling: Korea Consumer Agency

(www.kca.go.kr / ☏ 02-3460-3000 / Fax 02-3460-3180)

Automobile company related consumer damage statistics

Please pay attention to parking lots of hyper markets

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