Consumer detriment rises sharply regarding summer camp  

 

As a growing number of consumers attend summer camp by taking advantage of summer vacation or break, consumer damages take place more frequently.
 

The Korea Consumer Agency (President: Young-seen Kim, www.kca.go.kr) made an analysis of 225 consumer damage cases related to various camps reported to 1372 Consumer Counseling Center in 2011. According to the KCA, relevant consumer detriment rose sharply by 44.2% y-y compared to 156 cases in 2010. In July to August in particular, more consumers were damaged in this regard, as seen in 92 cases (or 40.9%) occurred in July to August (summer vacation season). 

By damage type, camp organizers’ unfair refusal to consumers’ request for contract cancellation or termination occurred the most often as seen in 160 cases (71.1%), followed by differing service provided from that indicated in the contract (43 cases, 19.1%). 

Most of businesses, requested for contract cancellation by consumers, rejected refund by arguing that the contract says ‘Full refund cannot be made after the camp begins or after certain date set by the company.’

Yet, the aforementioned contract falls under unfair terms. And, the Korea Fair Trade Commission gave an order for corrective measure to ‘Jeju Int’l English Village (Oxford Education)’, which used the terms above, on March 27^th, 2012.

In this connection, the Agency advised consumers against consumer damage related to summer camp as follows: 1) Go through every page of contract and terms; 2) Check whether refund standard and contract contents clearly seen in the contract; and 3) Check whether the organizer of the camp with educational purpose is registered in Education Office.