#701, Seoul YWCA, 1-1, Myeongdong 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul  (Postal code: 100-021)

Report Data

Provision Date:	December 16, 2010
Person in Charge:	Secretary-General Choi Su-gyeong
	Head of Team Jo Jun-ha
Tel:	02-774-4050

Cautions consumers regarding shipping delay and fake business as damage of salted cabbage is increasing during the winter Kimchi making season.

During the kimchi-making season, consumer counseling related to businesses, which did not ship their orders on time, or vanished with money after receiving salted-cabbage orders, is increasing. We caution consumers regarding such cases.

The Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations (Chairperson Kim Jae-ok) analyzed salted-cabbage related counseling cases received through nationwide consumer organizations. Among 167 cases received during the late half of this year, 142 cases were received during November, so the results of the analysis showed that consumers' damage related to salted-cabbage during the kimchi-making season is on the rise.

Among the counseling cases received in November, the number consumer counseling related to delayed shipping of salted-cabbage was 51 cases (35.9%), showing the highest ratio. Consumer counseling related to businesses which disappeared with money after inducing consumers with fake fliers or Internet sites was 45 cases (31.7%).

In particular, in the case of Haenam-gun of Jeolla Namdo Province where salted-cabbage has become its major representative business, there are about 400 salted-cabbage businesses, but they are small businesses. After receiving a lot of orders that they cannot handle, some businesses did not deliver their orders, or some scammers claimed that their business was located in Haenam, then took the money and vanished.

As the demand for salted cabbage is increasing recently due to its convenience for making kimchi with it, related businesses are on the rise, but supervision or management of such businesses by the related public agencies or local government are not sufficient.

Accordingly, the Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations cautions consumers regarding the following: ①Consumers should use reliable businesses; ②When purchasing on the Internet, consumers should check the electronic commerce report through the homepage of the Fair Trade Commission (http://www.consumer.go.kr) and ③Consumers should check the status of shipping before preparing for making kimchi.

Appendix: Analysis of consumer counseling cases related to salted cabbage

December 16, 2010

The Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations

Group Members

Green Consumers Network, Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs, Citizens Alliance for Consumer Protection of Korea, National Council of Housewives Classes, Korea Women's Association, Korea Consumer Affairs Institute, Korea Consumer Education Center, Consumers Union of Korea, National Council of YMCAs of Korea, YWCA of Korea

[Appendix] Analysis of consumer counseling cases related to salted cabbage

■ Number of salt-cabbage related counseling cases received during the late half of 2010

Month	No. of Cases
Jul	2
Aug	6
Sep	10
Oct	7
Nov	142

■ Reasons of consumer counseling related to salted cabbage in November 2010

Counseling Reason	No. of Cases	Percentage
Delayed shipping	51	35.9%
No contact with businesses	45	31.7%
Refusal of exchange or refund	30	21.1%
Simple inquiry	8	5.6%
Poor quality	4	2.8%
Spoilage	2	1.4%
Under weight	1	0.7%
Other	1	0.7%
Total	142	100%

■ Counseling cases related to salted cabbage

[Case 1] Through an acquaintance, I obtained the telephone number of a salted cabbage business located in Haenam of Jeolla-do Province, and ordered salted-cabbage there. I order 20 cabbages which costed 3,000 won per cabbage, and wire transferred 70,000 won including shipping cost. I was supposed to get cabbage on November 27, but I did not get it on that day even though I already prepared all the seasoning for kimchi. When I called the seller to complain, they cussed at me instead.

[Case 2] After I saw a flier in my neighborhood, I ordered salted-cabbage from a farm located in Chungcheongbuk-do Province. They were supposed to deliver the cabbage in the morning, but I did not hear anything from them until noon, so when I called them to complain, they hung up on me or they were very unkind. In the afternoon, I got a call from them, and they told me that a delay was due to the fault of the shipping company. When I asked them to give me a shipping number, they did not answer me. The next day, I received the cabbage, but it was already fermented, so I could not make kimchi.

[Case 3] Through an Internet site, I ordered 20kg of Haenam's salted cabbage, and I wire transferred 40,000 won to a seller. I did not get my salted cabbage on time and complained to them. For one month, I did not hear anything from them, but later I found out that they closed down their Internet site.