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No.467 2004.09.09 Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs
Only 44% of laundries issue receipts while 49.6% do not keep standard agreement terms designed for consumer protection

 

 No.467, Sep. 9, 2004  /  Contact person: Lee Su-jeong


Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs

 

Only 44% of laundries issue receipts while 49.6% do not keep standard agreement terms designed for consumer protection

 

Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs (Chair Kim Cheon-ju) conducted a survey of 250 laundry shops in 25 wards of Seoul from August 10th to 17th, as to their service status, including issuance and recollection of laundry receipts, display of standard agreement terms and disposal of laundry wastes. The survey revealed the following:

 

1. Whether Laundry Receipts are Issued

According to the standard agreement of laundry service business, the laundry shop is supposed to issue a receipt to the customer when laundry is received. The survey revealed that less than half (44%, 110 shops) issue receipts while 140 shops (56%) do not issue receipts.

 Receipt issuance varies greatly depending on the area – nine shops (90%) in Kwanak-gu issued receipts while none in Seongbuk-gu and Dongdaemun-gu issued receipts. The survey also revealed that only 35.6% (89 shops) recollect the receipts.

 

2. Display of Standard Agreement of Laundry Service Business

  The standard agreement of laundry service business should be kept visible to the consumers at the laundry shop in accordance with the standard agreement Article 2 of Paragraph 2. Since only half (126 shops, 50.4%) out of 250 shops surveyed display the agreement, it is difficult for the consumer to demand receipt issuance, as they are not familiar with the standard agreement provisions.

  The survey also revealed that the percentage of standard agreement displaying shops also varies depending on the area. The areas where more laundry shops display the standard agreement (Gwanak, Songpa and Gangbuk) issue receipts more often, than those in areas where less laundry shops display the standard agreement.

 

3. Methods of Resolving Disputes on Laundry Accidents

  In case of laundry accidents (loss, defects – stain, discoloration, change, fade of color or damage to cloth), the survey revealed that the majority 183 laundry shops (73.2) settle disputes through direct consultation with the consumer. 14 shops (5.6%) provide unconditional compensation if the damage amount is small. Since the survey revealed that the disputes are settled through direct consultation between the parties rather than objectively using the review system, a question is raised as to whether the consumers are satisfied with or duly compensated through such direct consultation.

 

 

 4. Laundry Waste Handling Methods and Whether the Designated Waste Handling Register is Present

  The survey revealed that the percentage of laundry wastes handled through Korea Dry-cleaning Laundry Association is the highest, but some dispose of wastes individually (1.6%) or by other methods (12.8%). The process and results of the individual handling is not clear. It may cause serious environment contamination as laundry waste can be discarded into sewerage, which contains hazardous waste solvents and filters such as TCE (trichloroetehylene) or PCE (perchloroethylene).  Furthermore, the survey revealed that 180 shops (72%) possess designated waste handling registers, while 70 shops (28%) do not have a register at their shop.

 

5. Suggestions

 First, active public relations activities are required toward the service providers and the consumers, so that laundry receipts are issued and recollected without failure, to enhance the quality of laundry service. The receipt serves as the proof for prompt problem solving as well as the ground for judgment to protect the consumer rights, in case of a laundry accident. Among all laundry service disputes, cases of lost laundry are seen the most often. It is easy to determine the accountability of any losses if receipts are issued after checking the status of laundry items. The receipts are necessary for the benefit of both service providers and consumers as they may be utilized as evidences for possible dispute settlement, if the laundry method and status are indicated on the receipts.

 Second, the government authorities concerned should conduct thorough control and supervision over the laundry shops in connection with treatment of laundry wastes.  The survey revealed that the government control and supervision over laundry waste treatment is neglected, since 19.2% of the shops treat the waste individually and only 70 shops (28%) keep the waste treatment register at their shops. Serious water contamination may be caused if laundry waste water (containing TCE or PCE) is discarded without an advance treatment. Therefore, it is suggested that the authorities conduct periodic education on waste treatment for the laundry service providers, in addition to thorough control and supervision over laundry waste treatment.

 Third, various viable ways should be sought to revive the review system for prompt relief of consumer losses, in cases of laundry accidents. The review system for laundry or clothing dispute settlement enables reasonable dispute settlement, as it secures objective settlement by experts, much better than an individual consultative settlement between the parties. Prompt relief of consumer damages should be secured through active promotion and support of the review system for dispute settlement in case of laundry accidents.

 

Information: Secretary Han Myeong-ok, Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs (02-779-1573)

 

 

 

“Tuesday Women’s Economics Class”

Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs (Chair Kim Cheon-ju) plans to hold economics classes for female consumers, to provide opportunities to enhance their economic common sense and financial capabilities. With the first class slated for October 5th (Tuesday), the education program will consists of 6 week courses until November 9th (Tuesday), which will provide easy and useful lectures by expert instructors (provided by Asset Management Association), including Kang Chang-hui, director, Mirae Asset Investment Education Institute. The lectures will be given from 2 to 3:30 PM on every Tuesday. The lectures will be given at Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs auditorium (Room No. 602, Sangdong Bldg.), free of charge. However, the participants need to make advance application for text materials and gift items.   The lecture details are as follows:

 

05 October 2004 (Tue.) / Life planning by life cycle (Lecture series starts)

12 October 2004 (Tue.) / Selection and investment in financial products by institute

19 October 2004 (Tue.) / Trends and prospect of real estate market

26 October 2004 (Tue.) / Types and selection of insurance products

02 November 2004 (Tue.) / Reasonable expenditure and credit management

09 November 2004 (Tue.) / Reading economic news on domestic and overseas economic developments (Closing of lecture and completion certificates presented)

* Lecture is held from 2 to 3:30 PM on every Tuesday.

 

Application and inquiry: Secretary Kim Sun-bok, Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs (Phone: 02-752-4227~9)

 

 

 

Green Consumer Network in Korea

 

Recruitment of participants in training courses for leaders of ecology leisure with the nature

 

The ecology leisure leader explains to and guides young children and citizens visiting the Han River on how to feel and enjoy ecology-oriented leisure rather than entertainment-oriented leisure.

Those who complete the education course may work as instructors of ecology leisure programs conducted by Green Consumer Network in Korea.

We wish those who desire to become ecology leisure leaders would apply for the education course.

- Qualification: Those of 20 years or older who may work as ecology leisure leaders as they have interest in environment and ecology

- Tuition: 35,000 won (Kookmin Bank 525201-01-048521, Green Consumer Network in Korea

- Education period: September 21st to November 4th, 2004 (10 to 12 AM, every Tuesday and Thursday)

- Education place: Green Consumer Education Hall, 2nd Floor, Soseong Bldg. (5 minutes on foot from Hyochang Park Station of Subway Line No.)

Nanji and Gangseo District Site Education

- Application: Phone 02)3273-7117,719- 4600 / e-mail green2@gcn.or.kr

- Application Period: 1 to 18 September 2004

 

* Instructor: Park Byeong-gwon (Prof. Biology, Kyunghee Univ.), Ryu Chang-hui (Director, Ecology Research Forum) and other ecology experts

Sponsored by: Hangang Park Office, Seoul City Government

Hosted by: Green Consumer Network in Korea

 

Information: Secretary Goh Hyeon-jeong, Green Consumer Network in Korea (02-3273-7117)

 

 



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