SINGAPORE: Complaints against the travel industry topped the list of consumer woes amid the COVID-19 pandemic last year, according to data released by the Consumers Association of Singapore on Monday .
Reports against the beauty, motorcars and renovation contractors industries dropped slightly due to pandemic restrictions, but these remain priority areas, it added. Some were charged a penalty or administrative fee for postponing their trips, while others were given travel vouchers to be used at a later date instead of a cash refund.CASE said it assisted affected consumers by leveraging the COVID-19 Act 2020, which provides them with temporary relief from contractual obligations to be performed on or after Feb 1, 2020, for contracts entered into or renewed before Mar 25, 2020.
In total, CASE helped consumers recover more than S$300,000 in prepayments from airlines, travel agencies and travel portals, it added.GYM MEMBERSHIPS Consumers also found it difficult to book their preferred exercise slots due to capacity reduction in line with safe distancing measures, and sought a full or partial refund on their memberships, said CASE.
READ: 'Another level of stress': Couples worry about pre-event COVID-19 testing for wedding guests under new rulesThe medical and medical consumables industry received 1,256 complaints last year, of which at least 813 were in relation to medical consumables. Consumers generally complained about the pricing of face masks, hand sanitisers and other related consumables, said CASE.
Responding to complaints, CASE signed voluntary compliance agreements with three beauty salons that committed to cease unfair practices.