spot_img

CCTV’s 3.15 Hall of Shame Airs its Annual Disgraces

spot_img
spot_img

Latest News

spot_img

Former US president John F Kennedy, on 15 March 1962, famously said, “Consumers by definition include us all. They are the largest economic group, affecting and affected by almost every public and private economic decision. Yet they are the only important group… whose views are often not heard”. This marked the beginning of World Consumer Rights Day, spearheaded by consumer rights activist organisation Consumers International.
Tune in to CCTV at 8pm tonight and join in with the rest of China, for their annual name-and-shame event. A little too proudly acting on behalf of the innocent Chinese consumer, CCTV annually broadcasts its 2 hour 3.15 Gala program, calling-out companies that have behaved badly during the last 12 months. As far as ratings go, this is the equivalent of reeling out the big guns, as it has companies at both tiger and fly levels panic, prepping their public relations departments in lieu of D-Day.

“Too often consumers are left at a disadvantage with the companies and governments they encounter, leaving them exposed to unsafe, unfair or unethical practice.”

[Consumers International]

Civilian and government institutions alike are not immune from accusations, as the Nanjing Bureau of Industry and Commerce has revealed to the Yangtze Evening News its top complaints from last year. In addition, Nanjing’s 12315 complaints hotline ran red last year, with a total of 70,508 consumer complaints, an increase of 21.04 percent

The top ten in Nanjing’s hall of shame:

  1. Industry services; 26,208 complaints
  2. Household appliances; 10,128 complaints
  3. Communications products; 10,127 complaints
  4. Household items; 4300 complaints
  5. Clothing, shoes and hats; 3196 complaints
  6. Transport; 2905 complaints
  7. Computer products; 2812 complaints
  8. Renovation and building materials; 2,059 complaints
  9. Children’s products; 1,049 complaints
  10. Jewelry merchandise; 606 complaints

This year, the extra-curricular education industry has also fallen foul of complaints. “There have been 298 complaints about false education and refunds related to education and training. The main problems are mainly due to inconsistent teaching quality, training effects, institutional qualifications and prior commitments, and exaggeration of publicity; signing unfair contracts and restricting consumer refunds. Difficulties; teacher qualifications are not up to standard, supporting facilities are incomplete, teachers are frequently changed, and training courses are not in place”, reports Liao Jianwei for Xinhua Newspaper Network.

“The businesses with most complaints include Upward Art Training Company, Nanjing Ruisi English Training, and Golden Wheat Field Educational Institution in Jiangning District.”

Writes Zheng Ruonan for Jing Daily, “Take downs of luxury brands are especially satisfying for media and audiences as high prices would seem to warrant high quality products, and corner cutting seems even more egregious… In today’s hyper-connected world, the distance between brand and consumer has shortened”.

Indeed, as the Chinese consumer grows richer, so does his or her savvy abilities to spot a fake in its tracks.

Recognising that Chinese consumer needs are changing, and highlighting that the consumer does, after all, have rights, is becoming just as important as protecting the rights of corporations big and small, as they adopt ever more savvy marketing techniques. A campaigning for more transparent and fair trade practices worldwide is one of the driving force behind holding companies accountable for their negligence and wrongdoings.

- Advertisement -

Local Reviews

spot_img

OUTRAGEOUS!

Regional Briefings