For the first time in over a decade, the timeshare industry is out of the top 10 list of industries that receive the most consumer complaints. Although the timeshare industry only dropped out of the top 10 by 1 position it still moved 2 positions down the table compared to 2014 receiving 536 complaints in 2015 compared to 869 in 2014.
Consumer complaints across the board fell by 9.7%, or 2,400 cases in 2015, compared to 24,700 in 2014, but the motor industry still tops the list again for the fourth year running, with over 2,907 complaints.
These statistics were released by CASE, Consumers Association of Singapore on its 45th anniversary, on Monday, 14th March 2015.
The consumer watchdog attributed the reduction of timeshare complaints to its efforts to eradicate scam timeshare companies, including issuing injunctions against numerous companies in recent years.
Over 50% of all complaints related to defective car parts and seven out of every 10 cases involved second-hand card. CASE are working with car dealers of second-hand cars to carry out better checks prior to any sale.
CASE President, Lim Biow Chaun said that the overall drop in complaints is a direct result of consumers becoming more educated regarding consumer rights and while businesses committing to fair trading practices.
“The lemon law has empowered consumers to feel that if I have a basis for my complaint then I want CASE to help push for my rights,”
Mr Lim, is also Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Mountbatten MP, added that there was cause for celebration by seeing the long-troubled timeshare industry fall out of the top 10 complaint rankings saying “What we are seeing today is an outcome of better education, better legislation to protect consumers and also constant legal action against the recalcitrant timeshare companies.”
The top three industries with most complaints are electronics with 1,668 and beauty with 1,664, but both have seen a slight reduction in complaints compared to the previous year. Several other sectors also saw a fall in complaints, including travel and hand phones.
Making its entry into the top 10 list for the first time was the clubs sector, for example; fitness clubs with over 90% relating to their termination policies, with 623 complaints received.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk