Gyms and beauty salons could be made to refund unhappy customers as Hong Kong government proposes cooling-off period
- New plan targets two trades that were subject to most complaints, commerce secretary says
- Prepaid contracts worth HK$3,000 or more would be subject of new no-questions-asked money back clause
Hong Kong customers unhappy with beauty or gym services they have signed up for could get a full refund for contracts worth HK3,000 or above, under a government plan to impose a statutory cooling-off period.
The proposal, released on Tuesday for a three-month public consultation, targets salons and gyms, which would have to reimburse customers who prepaid, but then changed their minds.
According to the government, one option would be to install a cooling-off period of three working days, and a refund period of seven working days. Another option to be put to the public, is for a seven-day cooling-off period, with refunds to be issued within 14 days.
Political parties and the Consumer Council all welcomed the long-awaited move, but said they hoped the government would consider expanding it to other industries.
A consumer may take civil action if a refund is not given in time, or may report the case to the Customs & Excise Department. In the event that happens, the department will be able to issue an enforcement notice to the business, and non-compliance could result in a fine.