Ongoing Hong Kong Customs probes into trade descriptions breaches have led to two beauty parlour staff appearing in court, and a ginseng shop retailer arrested this week.
Two female staff members of an unidentified beauty parlour were sentenced to carry out 200 hours of community service after appearing in the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts yesterday.
Hong Kong Customs prosecuted them for engaging in aggressive commercial practices under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
The case followed a complaint by a customer alleging staff were using harassment and undue influence to coerce a customer to procure beauty treatment packages.
Meanwhile, a salesman of a ginseng and dried seafood shop was arrested yesterday, suspected to have applied a false trade description in the sale of Herba Dendrobii, Panax quinquefolius and pseudo-ginseng, in contravention of the TDO.
A customs spokesman said information was received alleging a salesman had claimed the unit prices of Herba Dendrobii, Panax quinquefolius and pseudo-ginseng were calculated per catty. After the herbal medicine was ground, the salesman of the shop revealed that the Panax quinquefolius was priced per tael while the Herba Dendrobii and pseudo-ginseng were priced per mace.
After investigation, a 39-year-old man was arrested. He was released on bail pending further investigation.
“Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to purchase products from reputable shops,” said the spokesman. “Consumers should also be cautious about the unit price and ask for more information, including the total price of the goods selected, before making a purchase decision.”
Under the TDO, any person who applies a false trade description to any goods,who supplies goods with a false trade description, or who engages in aggressive commercial practices using harassment, coercion or undue influence to impair a consumer’s freedom of choice commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and five years imprisonment.
