Consumer Council handled almost 3,800 cases in the first half of this year.760 cases were complaints and almost 3,000 cases were inquiry, the rest of 51 cases were suggestions of consumers. Among the over 700 complaint cases, 122 cases were about telecommunication services. The number of cases regarding fees charged for various telecommunication services and arguments on contract terms has dropped by almost 30 percent comparing to 2011's figures whereas the number of cases regarding telecommunication service providers' service quality has increased. A total of 97 complaint cases for telecommunications products were received in the first half year, half of the cases received were about quality of mobile phones and after-sales services of telecommunications products, and tourists' complaints amounted to 60 percent of the complaint cases received in this category. Under this category, consumer disputes arise mainly due to the differences between the operations of local market and that in mainland China, and the definition and scope of warranty service of mobile phones in the two regions. Consumer Council suggests mobile phone retailers to give detailed explanation to consumers when they purchase mobile phones. Meanwhile, only 9 complaint cases on mobile phones have been received, which had reduced by 70 percent comparing to the previous year. The Council will continue to update its website with the latest suggested retail prices of mobile phones for inbound tourists' reference. Other categories which recorded increase in the number of cases mainly included clothing & apparel, sporting goods, as well as service charges and services of banks under the financial services category. The Council will provide adequate information to consumers by releasing researches and consumer alerts to enhance consumers' own protection on consumer rights. In the first half year of 2012, the Council also handled 2,972 inquiry cases, which had increased by 20 percent than the number of the previous year. A detailed report on the cases received by the Council is covered in the latest issue no. 228 of Consumer Report.
The current Consumer Report also features articles on Consumers International and other activities of the Council and other mainland consumer organizations.
Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the office of Consumer Council (Rua Inácio Baptista, Nº 6-6A Edficio Seaview Garden R/C), and the service counter of Consumer Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the resources online on the Council's official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
