Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations

Room 701, Seoul YWCA, 1-1, Myeongdong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul,

TEL +82-02-774-4050, FAX +82-02-774-4090

Press Release

Effecitive Date	: August 2, 2011
Dept. in Charge	: Team leader Jo June-ha
	: Assistant Administrator Ryu Soo-yang
Tel	: +82-02-770-4050

High Price Trends Reflected in Consumer Consultation

Year-over-year consultation on price complaints rose 54.1% in the first half

According to the analysis on the price complaint-relevant damage cases received by the 10 consumer organizations nationwide through the 1372 Consumer Consultation Center of the Korean National Council of Consumer Organizations (KNCCO) (President Kim Jae-ok), 31,553 cases of complaints were received by July 2011.

The price complaint consultation cases were 31,553 by July 2011, up a whopping 54.1%, compared to 20,475 cases in the same period last year. Therefore, a high price trend was reflected in consumer consultation, due to a recent price hike of various goods and services.

Complaints about IT devices from among top consultation items rose 56.8%, compared to last year

By item, 6,140 cases, 3,228 cases, and 3,185 cases of IT service, garment & textile goods, and IT devices were received, respectively. Especially, the year-over-year consultation cases number of IT devices rose by 56.8%. According to an analysis, the reason was because of consumers' complaints about the excessive basic fee system and supplementary services under the condition of free data use fees and gadget prices, arising from the large quantity of smart phone diffusion. Concerning the increase rate of the number of consultation cases, household goods, agricultural, fishery & live stock products, and dining instruments increased by 250.8%, 136.4%, and 101.8%, respectively. From this, it was found out that the number of goods & services consultation cases related to everyday life rose.

The need to be careful about rip-offs in summer resorts during the vacation season

Meanwhile, a relatively numerous amount of cases (8,146) from among the total 37,657 cases were received during the vacation season of July and August last year. In July 2011, 4,658 cases of price complaint cases were received. The reason is that many complaint cases about being ripped-off were received, because travel agencies, accommodations, and restaurants demanded more expensive prices, compared to general seasons. Consequently, consumers are required to be greatly careful about price conditions, and refund regulations in the case of travel or accommodation reservations.

< Group Members >

Consumers Korea, Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs, National Council of Homemakers' Classes, Korea Women's Association, Korea Consumer Affairs Institute, Korea Consumers Education Center, Consumers Union of Korea, YMCA Korea, National YWCA of Korea, Green Consumers Network in Korea