Timeshare industry out of CASE’s list of industries with most consumer complaints
Guest-of-Honour, Mr Chan Chun Sing walking through the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE)'s Time Tunnel, a large tunnel exhibition that showcases CASE’s history, with CASE President Lim Biow Chuan at a one-day Carnival at Chinatown Point to celebrate World Consumer Rights Day 2016 and its 45th Anniversary on March 13, 2016. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong
SINGAPORE — In a first for more than a decade, the timeshare industry is out of the top 10 industries with the most consumer complaints.
This comes as the overall number of complaints received by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) declined last year by 2,400 cases, or 9.7 per cent fewer than the 24,700 complaints in 2014.
The annual statistics released today (March 13) by CASE, on its 45th anniversary, placed the timeshare industry 11th on the list, with 536 complaints, down from ninth and 869 complaints in 2014.
The motorcar industry remained in the number one spot, with 2,900 complaints, more than the 2,100 cases in 2014. CASE president Lim Biow Chuan noted the 37 per cent increase and that the industry has been top of the complaints list since 2012.
Most complaints (50 per cent) were about defective parts, and around seven in 10 cases involved second-hand cars. CASE urged car dealers to send second-hand cars for checks before each sale.
The association also plans to hold an educational seminar this year to better educate the public, and it suggested consumers request that dealers produce a workshop report certifying a vehicle before purchase.
As regards the overall statistics, Mr Lim said consumers are getting more knowledgeable about consumer rights, while businesses have committed to fair trading practices.
In particular, industries such as electronics, hand phones and travel - besides timeshare - have seen a “significant drop” in complaints, he added.
Nevertheless, CASE saw a fall in its resolution rate as the numbers seeking resolution went up by 45 per cent to 2,006 cases, with many cases filed later in the year and still pending.
More cases were also filed in the contractor, motorcar and the travel industries. “These involved large sums of money, and it’s usually difficult to resolve such cases due to the complexity of the situation and the large amount of monies involved,” said Mr Lim.
