Enthusiasts of sport shoes are alerted to be wary of shops operating anonymously without a shop name nor any means of contact.
The consumer alert followed an upsurge in complaints against such "nameless" shops operating mostly in shopping malls in Mongkok and Causeway Bay districts.
Overall, complaints against sport shoes retailers rose to 98 cases last year from 61 cases in 2013. But of particular concern to the Consumer Council is the upward trend in complaints against such "nameless" shops - up 7 times from a mere 2 to 14 cases.
According to the complainants, most of these shops carried no signage of the shop name on their storefront. Nor was there any information about the company on the sales memos but just blank papers to record some basic details of the purchase.
In one case, the complainant and her friend bought 2 pairs of the same sport shoes in a Mongkok shopping mall, and paid in cash HK$1,480 for each pair. The shop issued her a hand-written receipt and without paying any attention to it she left the shop with the merchandise she bought.
Later, at home, she grew suspicious of the country of manufacture of the sport shoes and, on the following day, took the shoes to the authorized dealer for verification. She was told the colour of her shoes could not be recognized and was at variance of the colour under the official brand.
Upon inquiry, the shop insisted that the shoes were genuine products and challenged the complainant to produce proof of otherwise. She sought assistance from the Council for redress, and reported the case to the Customs and Excise Department on suspicion of the shop engaging in selling spurious products.
In another case against a "nameless" shop in Causeway Bay, the complainant placed an order for a pair of sport shoes as the products are hot in demand and out of stocks, at a price of HK$1,200 which he paid by credit card. The shop promised to deliver within 3 to 14 days.
After a fortnight had elapsed, the complainant still received no word of delivery. He called the shop but to no avail until eventually contacted the shopkeeper on whatsapp. He was told to wait for a few more days or refund. But, despite repeated attempts, the shop was still stalling unable to produce the shoes he ordered nor the refund.
Through conciliation of the Council, the shop finally agreed to arrange refund to the complainant.
In yet another case, the complainant bought a pair of women sport shoes and paid in cash HK$850. The shop promised to deliver in 3 weeks, but the shoes never came. She found 3 telephone numbers on the receipt but none could be put through to the shop because the service was terminated or could not be reached.
The complainant then went to the shop and was told only a pair of the same model but a different size was available, and was persuaded to choose another model of sport shoes. Reluctantly she paid an extra HK$50 for a different brand and was assured of delivery in 1 to 2 weeks. But again she waited in vain.
The shop subsequently was found in closure but, to her utter surprise, she also found the same staff working in another sport shoes shop in a different premises in the same mall.
It has come to the notice of the Council that some of these "nameless" shops could be operating on a very short lease and could easily be relocated to another premises or simply went closure. The delay in delivery of goods are apparently a calculated tactic to entrap consumers.
These complaints are typical of the tactics deployed by operators of "nameless" shops cashing in on the demand for new models of sport shoes. Consumers patronizing such rather dubious shops are cautioned to be on the alert to safeguard their rights.
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