Latest news with #TradeDescriptionsOrdinance
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Member loses HK$38,000 as Hong Kong branch of Singaporean 1880 club faces probe
The sudden closure of 1880 Hong Kong, a private members club based out of Singapore, left members reeling, with one losing HK$38,000, paid out for a full-year membership just two months prior, while others have complained to Customs, alleging a violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. The club, located in Quarry Bay's Two Taikoo Place, operated for only seven months before shutting down last Friday due to 'cash flow difficulties'. It has been accused of owing rent and wages to more than 100 employees, with some staff seeking help from the labour authorities. Hong Kong Customs said in response to queries from the Post, that they have received complaints and are investigating. Enforcement action will be taken if any breaches of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance are found. It added that it is an offence if a trader intends not to supply a product or has no reasonable grounds to believe they can supply it within a specified or reasonable period. Offenders could face a fine of HK$500,000 (US$63,760) and five years' imprisonment upon conviction. A marketing professional, who wished to remain anonymous, joined the club in late March for its co-working space and networking opportunities, paying HK$24,000 in joining fees and HK$14,000 for a full-year membership. 'We found that [the membership] is helpful for business, especially on the networking part … they kept assuring us that they have already operated in Singapore for more than seven years and they are a reputable membership club,' she told the Post.
HKFP
28-05-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Hong Kong authorities launch probe after wedding planner's vanishing act leaves trail of over 200 victims
A Hong Kong wedding planner's sudden disappearance has taken more than 200 customers by surprise, prompting authorities to launch an investigation. The company, PS Wedding & Event Decoration, allegedly removed its website and social media accounts, closed its office, and has not been contactable since Monday, according to a group set up by bewildered customers in a bid to share information about the firm. As of 5pm Wednesday, the group had about 225 people – both brides and grooms – who presented invoices issued by the wedding planner, with losses totalling over HK$1 million, Kwok, who organised the group, told HKFP. The 27-year-old, who asked to be identified only by her surname, purchased a HK$18,588 plan with the company for her upcoming wedding in December and paid a deposit of HK$8,200. However, she discovered on Monday that PS Wedding had removed its Facebook and Instagram accounts. She said she called and texted the company via WhatsApp, but to no avail. When she visited the company's San Po Kong office at around 11am on Tuesday, she saw that the office and signboard had been cleared, and the landlord told her the company had moved out. Kwok said she reached out to other brides on social media and found others who also could not contact PS Wedding. They formed a group to share information and filed a police report. She also said that a customer in her group received an email from PS Wedding as recently as Wednesday last week. The email – seen by HKFP – asked the customer to settle an outstanding payment of HK$13,594 by Friday last week. HKFP's calls to PS Wedding, including via WhatsApp, on Wednesday failed to get through. The Consumer Council told HKFP on Wednesday that, as of 5pm, it had received 31 complaints against PS Wedding, involving a total amount of more than HK$337,000. The highest single loss was HK$40,600, the council added. In an email reply on Wednesday, Customs confirmed it had received reports regarding the wedding company and launched an investigation. It also warned that a company could face a HK$500,000 fine and a jail sentence of up to five years if found to have violated the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. Under the ordinance, a service provider who accepts payments without providing the intended service within a reasonable period, or delivers a service significantly different from what was intended, commits an offence.
RTHK
07-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Two arrested over suspected medical group closure
Two arrested over suspected medical group closure Tsang Kin-wah says Customs are looking into the company's operations and financial position immediately before its closure. Photo: RTHK Customs on Wednesday said they have arrested two people over the suspected abrupt closure of Alliance Medical Group. The pair, a 61-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, were the company's director and secretary respectively. Both have been released on bail pending an investigation. Customs said they have so far received 1,686 complaints involving HK$7.2 million worth of prepaid packages. Divisional commander Tsang Kin-wah said authorities are looking into the company's operations and financial position immediately before its suspected closure on May 1. "Just days before its suspected closure, this trader was still selling medical services and accepting prepaid payments from consumers," he said. "That allegedly violated the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by wrongfully accepting payments," he said. "At the time of accepting these payments, the trader had no reasonable grounds to believe they could provide the relevant services within the specified or reasonable time frame." Tsang urged affected customers to come forward, adding that Customs have already been in touch with more than 1,400 complainants. The government has also set up an inter-departmental task force to follow up on the complaints.
South China Morning Post
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong watchdog receives 22 complaints from Coldplay concertgoers about blocked views
Hong Kong's consumer watchdog received 22 complaints from Coldplay concertgoers who said their views were obstructed and that they were not warned in advance when buying the tickets. Advertisement But at least two customers who filed the complaints had been informed of the blocked views during the purchase of the British band's show at Kai Tak Sports Park, according to the ticketing operator. Meanwhile, the city's customs authority said on Saturday it was notified of the complaints and promised to take action if there was any violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. The Consumer Council said it received 22 complaints about obstructed views from Coldplay concert seats as of Friday afternoon. One of the complainants reportedly said that they only knew their seat views were obstructed when they received the physical tickets, which had been printed with the wording 'seat with restricted view'. Advertisement One complainant reportedly paid HK$2,099 (US$270.60) to buy a ticket to watch the show. The Consumer Council on Saturday warned organisers and ticketing platforms that they should be transparent with information, including about seat views, so that customers could make an informed choice.
