Lawsuit on outdated chocolate withdrawn
By Xu Fang |
March 15, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A SHOPPER taking advantage of China's consumer laws withdrew a lawsuit against a well-known store yesterday, after reaching an out-of-court settlement.
The consumer, surnamed Hu, had sued claiming he spent 1,536 yuan (US$234) on 12 Lindt boxes of chocolates at a store on Nanjing Road W. on February 14 which were two days past their shelf life.
Based on China's food safety law, Hu said he was entitled to a refund and compensation of 10 times the cost.
But the two sides reached an agreement before the hearing scheduled at the Jing'an District People's Court.
Hu did not disclose the compensation sum, saying it was a commercial secret.
Judges said nearly 90 percent of plaintiffs in the 99 cases concerning consumers' rights handled by the court last year were individuals - known as "professional fake finders" - who make a living out of exposing counterfeit goods and profiting from breaches of consumer law.
Of the total, plaintiffs in 69 cases accused sellers of fraud - twice as many as in 2009.
"It indicates that ordinary consumers are still not fully safeguarding their interests, while the number of professional fake finders is increasing," said Yao Zheng, a chief judge of the court.
Also yesterday, Xuhui District People's Court ruled that a professional fake finder, surnamed Yuan, should receive a refund of 1,378 yuan and compensation of 10 times the cost from a supermarket.
Yuan bought two bottles of Wuliangye, a well-known Chinese spirit, on August 24, last year. The alcohol was found to be fake.
The consumer, surnamed Hu, had sued claiming he spent 1,536 yuan (US$234) on 12 Lindt boxes of chocolates at a store on Nanjing Road W. on February 14 which were two days past their shelf life.
Based on China's food safety law, Hu said he was entitled to a refund and compensation of 10 times the cost.
But the two sides reached an agreement before the hearing scheduled at the Jing'an District People's Court.
Hu did not disclose the compensation sum, saying it was a commercial secret.
Judges said nearly 90 percent of plaintiffs in the 99 cases concerning consumers' rights handled by the court last year were individuals - known as "professional fake finders" - who make a living out of exposing counterfeit goods and profiting from breaches of consumer law.
Of the total, plaintiffs in 69 cases accused sellers of fraud - twice as many as in 2009.
"It indicates that ordinary consumers are still not fully safeguarding their interests, while the number of professional fake finders is increasing," said Yao Zheng, a chief judge of the court.
Also yesterday, Xuhui District People's Court ruled that a professional fake finder, surnamed Yuan, should receive a refund of 1,378 yuan and compensation of 10 times the cost from a supermarket.
Yuan bought two bottles of Wuliangye, a well-known Chinese spirit, on August 24, last year. The alcohol was found to be fake.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
