No. of Cross-border Consumer Disputes grew by 34.2% y-y in 2011 - Consumer damage due to purchase while traveling overseas was the most frequently claimed 

 The Korea Consumer Agency (President: Dae-pyo Jung, www.kca.go.kr) conducted an analysis on cross-border consumer dispute cases filed to the Consumer Counseling Network. According to the analysis, the no. of cases stood at 1,090 in 2011, a 34.2% growth from 812 cases in 2010. Meanwhile, the no. of cross-border consumer dispute cases continued to grow 556, 812, and 1,090 in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively.

 By transaction type, purchases while travelling overseas triggered the most common consumer damage with 534 cases (48.9%), followed by proxy shopping purchase and e-commerce with 310 cases (28.4%) and 246 cases (22.7%), respectively. In particular, the no. of consumer damage occurred after purchases while traveling abroad surged by 73.3% y-y from 226 cases in 2010, which serves as a great warning to consumers’ purchasing a product overseas during summer holiday season.

 By location of a company triggering the most cross-border disputes, the US topped the list with 137 case (19.5%), followed by China (Hong Kong included), Australia, Thailand, and the Philippines at 108 (15.3%), 80 (11.4%), and 67 (9.5%), respectively. No. 1 product complained about was personal items such as shoes and hat with 267 cases (24.5%) followed by health supplement, airline tickets, household products, and garments at 177 (16.2%), 165 (15.1%), 91 (8.3%), and 88 (8.1%), respectively.

 Based on these findings, the Agency asked consumers to be quite careful about purchasing valuable goods while travelling abroad and make it sure to get a receipt with terms related to exchange and refund clearly stated. Consumers facing cross-border consumer damages can file a complaint to the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center or the Agency directly.