Rising Popularity of E-Commerce Brings Quality Issues|跨境網購正夯 消費糾紛求償無門

The rising popularity of e-commerce allows more and more local consumers to buy from sellers abroad. According to a survey, the most popular platforms are Taobao and Tmall, which are both based in China. However, the flourishing of e-commerce has also brought along issues such inconsistent or even dangerous product qualities. One consumer reported that he received a hard drive which contained Trojan malware that could steal and send out his personal data.


International e-commerce is becoming increasing popular among local consumers. Many spend time and platforms such as Taobao and Tmall based in China. However, e-commerce has also brought along issues such inconsistent product qualities.

The quality is inconsistent. Or in other cases, though the prices are affordable, the actual product is not exactly like the ones shown on pictures.

According to the survey conducted by the Market Intelligence Consulting Institute, the top five most popular online shopping platforms are Taobao and Tmall from China, these two account for close to 70 percent of total e-commerce transactions. On the third place is Rakuten from Japan, followed by Amazon Japan, Amazon U.S., and eBay.

In recent years, close to 40 percent of internet users have bought from sellers abroad, most of the transactions are made through Taobao and Tmall.

However, the Office of the United States Trade Representative has faulted Taobao's reputation. A spot check from China also showed the pass ratio of the products is 37.25 percent. One consumer recently reported that a hard drive he bought turned out to be refurbished with malware inside that steals his information.

I think the best response (in this scenario) is to report the issue to the manufacturer and seller, and ask for a refund. The consumer can also file reports via the Straits Exchange Foundation to ask for help.

The official from the Consumer Protection Committee said that since e-commerce is a new type of consumption, it is not fully regulated by the current consumer protection laws. The official advises the public to stay away from products with prices considerably lower than the average market prices, and to be aware that the current communications channels by the government have limited functions, as they can only help with reporting and filing complaints to the local responsible consumer protection authorities.