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Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
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Campaign to target removers
By Ni Yinbin |
June 22, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SHANGHAI has begun a campaign to combat the increasing number of illegal removal companies in the city.
There are estimated to be more than 3,000 unauthorized companies in Shanghai and there have been many complaints about scams, city officials said.
Local government officials will be checking up on removers to find out if they are licensed or trying to pass themselves off as established, reputable companies.
A typical example of how the illegal companies operate was reported in a recent edition of the Xinmin Evening News.
A resident surnamed Song said he paid a total of 1,960 yuan (US$307) for his move last month after he booked what he thought was a 460 yuan deal with a reputable removal company.
He received a coupon in his mailbox from the company passing itself off as one of the city's most popular firms. It was offering attractive discounts and Song rang a number on the leaflet to order a service costing 460 yuan.
However, on May 29, when removal men arrived at Song's house, the first thing they did was raise the price.
"They asked for 1,400 yuan and I had to agree as I had taken a day off work and had made all the preparations," Song said.
At noon, the men asked for another 100 yuan for lunch.
Then, after the work was done, the team leader said Song would have to pay 460 yuan as a booking fee.
Faced with threats of violence, he felt he had no choice but to pay up.
Removal companies found to be unlicensed face fines of up to 100,000 yuan (US$15,712), said Cai Jingyan, a director of the city's law enforcement team.
He urged residents to call 110 (also English), 12319 or 12315 if they had any suspicions.
There are estimated to be more than 3,000 unauthorized companies in Shanghai and there have been many complaints about scams, city officials said.
Local government officials will be checking up on removers to find out if they are licensed or trying to pass themselves off as established, reputable companies.
A typical example of how the illegal companies operate was reported in a recent edition of the Xinmin Evening News.
A resident surnamed Song said he paid a total of 1,960 yuan (US$307) for his move last month after he booked what he thought was a 460 yuan deal with a reputable removal company.
He received a coupon in his mailbox from the company passing itself off as one of the city's most popular firms. It was offering attractive discounts and Song rang a number on the leaflet to order a service costing 460 yuan.
However, on May 29, when removal men arrived at Song's house, the first thing they did was raise the price.
"They asked for 1,400 yuan and I had to agree as I had taken a day off work and had made all the preparations," Song said.
At noon, the men asked for another 100 yuan for lunch.
Then, after the work was done, the team leader said Song would have to pay 460 yuan as a booking fee.
Faced with threats of violence, he felt he had no choice but to pay up.
Removal companies found to be unlicensed face fines of up to 100,000 yuan (US$15,712), said Cai Jingyan, a director of the city's law enforcement team.
He urged residents to call 110 (also English), 12319 or 12315 if they had any suspicions.
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