HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs today (August 10) arrested a female manicurist and a female staff member of a nail parlour who are suspected of engaging in unfair trade practices involving misleading omission in the sale of nail beautifying service, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). Customs earlier received information alleging that a female manicurist of a nail parlour in Tuen Mun had misled a customer to believe that a number of nail treatments were included in a treatment plan which she purchased. After delivering part of the treatments, the manicurist told the customer that additional charges would be required. After investigation, Customs officers today arrested two women whose ages are 22 and 37. Investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops. Under the TDO, any trader who engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information or provides material information in a manner that is unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely, and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years. Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
