A developer under fire for not giving sales brochures to prospective flat-buyers has claimed it is trying to save trees. But the explanation by Nan Fung Development has been dismissed as 'just an excuse' by a legislator who is demanding that developers give brochures to all customers before they sign up to buy. Nan Fung is giving brochures only to people who have signed a provisional sale and purchase agreement, meaning they cannot get the printed information before they pay a deposit. The company's director and general manager, Victor Mak Yat-king, said that as the project had been completed, most of the information in the brochure 'such as fittings and finishes, location and disposition can be inspected on site viewing'. He said in light of the recent concerns over junk mail, his company had taken the initiative and not issued every single visitor a complete sales brochure. He said the company would do its best to comply with guidelines issued by the Real Estate Developers Association and follow government requirements. Democratic Party chairman Lee Wing-tat, who chairs the Legislative Council's housing panel, rejected the explanation. 'It is just an excuse. How could a sales brochure compare with IPO documents which are several hundred pages?' Mr Mak was responding to a report in the South China Morning Post after a visit to the development two weeks ago. Sales agents said the developer would not give them any brochures. When the a Post reporter approached the developer's counter and demanded a copy of the sales brochure, a staff member provided the price list instead. This is the first time a developer has not provided sales brochures. Previous complaints were about failure to provide price lists. Mr Lee said the series of incidents highlighted the lack of transparency in property sales, leaving buyers at a disadvantage.
