國慶假期
Various QR code scanning convenience services
Bring convenience to travel
However, some consumers found
In the services provided by some merchants
Hidden tricks for refunding deposits
↓↓↓
Some scenic spots’ lockers, shared umbrellas, and charging equipment clearly indicate that the refund has been completed, but the deposit is not directly returned to the original payment channel. Instead, it is entered into the mini program account, and the user needs to withdraw cash by himself.
“Refund successful” ≠ money received
Many tourists have stepped on the trap
Be wary of “deposit assassins” who have hidden tricks!
Ms. Meng from Shaanxi
Previously rented a shared power bank in a scenic spot in Shandong
Paid a deposit of 99 yuan
When returning the power bank
The system prompts that the deposit has been returned
Found when checking account
Did not receive this refund
Ms. Meng: I rented a power bank with a deposit of 99 yuan. When I returned the power bank, a message popped up saying that it was refunded. If I didn’t look at it later, it means that I thought it was refunded. In fact, the money was not received at all.
In this regard, customer service said
Maybe it was because the machine was powered off at the time.
The signal cannot be sent through
Therefore, the refund was not successful.
Customer service then transferred the money via WeChat
Ms. Meng’s power bank deposit was refunded
Ms. Lu from Sichuan reported that because she did not pay attention to the whereabouts of the refund at the beginning, it took nearly 16 months for her to get her deposit back from the balance of the mini program.
調查發現
Except for shared power bank
Rent umbrellas and scan code lockers
Similar problems also exist
A consumer from Shanxi recounted his experience
Shanxi consumers:
The cabinet itself is free to use, but there is a 30 yuan deposit. After clicking the end use button that day, I immediately received a pop-up message from the official account on my phone, indicating that the refund was successful. At this point, I feel like the 30 yuan has been refunded. I also thought about it at the time. This was quite convenient. I didn’t have to withdraw cash myself.
但事實上
The deposit was not returned to the original location
Just transferred the platform balance of the official account
You must withdraw money manually to get it to your account
A business manager of a scenic spot said that renting power banks and lockers is indeed prone to problems such as difficulty in returning deposits and unclear refund prompts.
The reporter combed through the information on the complaint platform and found that there were nearly a thousand related complaints about not receiving the deposit for renting the power bank. Many consumers encounter situations where the system shows that the refund is completed, but the deposit is transferred to the mini program balance and requires manual withdrawal. The amount of a single deposit is small and can easily be ignored, and funds remain on the platform for a long time. These invisible refund obstacles are harming the rights and interests of consumers.
Expert: Such behavior is suspected of false propaganda
Damage to consumer rights
Huang Yinxu, deputy secretary-general of the Beijing Digital Economy and Digital Governance Rule of Law Research Association, said that the merchant’s unilateral change of the refund route is suspected of violating regulations and adding cash withdrawal steps. The page is marked with “Refund Successful” but the funds are not returned in the original route. This is suspected of false propaganda and harming the rights and interests of consumers.
Zhong Yuegna, executive director of the Chinese Culture and Tourism Big Data Research Institute of Beijing International Studies University, pointed out that scenic spots and business districts are mostly one-time transactions with high liquidity, lacking social constraints of acquaintances, and are prone to certain deposit routines. As convenient facilities for tourism public services, due to the characteristics of marginalization and cooperative system, return of lockers and shared power bank deposits have become blind spots in service quality management.
Venue operators have the responsibility to supervise and manage these merchants on the platform or within the venue. If they know or should know that a merchant has set up a deposit scheme, which infringes on the rights and interests of consumers, and fails to take removal restrictions after receiving complaints and reports, they need to bear the corresponding responsibilities together with the merchants.
Have you ever encountered such a situation?
Comprehensive | CCTV Voice of China Newsroom
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