Xinhua News Agency, Tianjin, March 15 (Reporters Liang Zi, Wang Jinghuai) 7 taels are weighed as 1 catty, 80 cm is 1 meter, and 1 ton of water only shows 0.9 tons... These scales, rulers, and water meters are not eliminated. Substandard products, but special equipment produced by lawbreakers for profit.
On the occasion of the "March 15" International Consumer Rights Day, reporters learned that these illegal measuring instruments that entrap consumers and disrupt market order are hidden in e-commerce platforms, promoted in the form of "crypto-words", and are waiting to be sold.
Short to long, light to heavy, thousands of pieces sold each month, how absurd!
A few days ago, the reporter found a kind of "non-standard tape measure" on the platform of many e-commerce companies.
According to the customer service of the shop "Sunshine Measuring Tools", the appearance of this tape measure is the same as that of a conventional tape measure, "but the unit distance between the scales is shortened, and the energy of 80 cm of cloth is 1 meter."
The reporter saw that according to the size of shortening or elongation, this store has non-standard tape measures such as type 80, type 85, type 95, type 105 and 110, and even "the first 3 meters are normal, and the scale becomes narrower after 3 meters." "The type is for people to choose.
The price is generally 2 to 3 times that of an ordinary tape measure.
In addition to non-standard tape measures, there are also "ghost scales".
The reporter saw the three words "you know" on the page of the store "Souou Home Furnishing Store".
The seller said that this scale can manually adjust the weight. There are 8 unit price keys on the scale, and each key can add half a double weight, "weigh as much as you want."
An unremarkable water meter will also hide mystery.
A shop called "Hardware Sprinkler Irrigation Fountain Pipe Fitting Manufacturer" sells two kinds of special water meters, running fast and slow running, which can display 13 tons or 7 tons for every 10 tons of water.
The seller proudly said: "Landlords who run fast like it, and tenants who run slow like it."
These non-standard measuring instruments are very popular.
The monthly sales volume of “custom-made measuring tapes” in one store reached more than 500 pieces, which were shipped from Shangqiu, Henan to all over the country.
Thousands of non-standard water meters shipped from Zhengzhou, Henan have been sold, and even customers have placed orders many times.
A shopkeeper also reminded me "thinkingly" that free shipping is available for purchasing more than 100 tape measures, "100 tapes are very heavy, I will save you some shipping costs, and you can introduce some customers to me."
"Secret language" propaganda, offline communication, unseen transactions
Reporters visited markets and shops and found that non-standard measuring instruments are an "open secret" in the industry.
Many shop owners are not unfamiliar with this, and even have well-established names: seven-two scales, eight-quarter feet, 10% off water meters, landlord water meters, and so on.
However, ordinary people can hardly find products when searching on e-commerce platforms with these keywords.
Where is the mystery?
——"Code Words" Propaganda.
Many sellers interviewed by reporters said that for safety, illegal online shops generally use "crypto words" to promote them.
For example, some store pages have "what you understand", "customization", and "please contact customer service for special requirements". It may be a store that sells non-standard equipment; some stores will also use words such as "anti-cheating" to solemnly sell "cheating" "appliance.
"People who are unfamiliar, I don't know what they sell when I look at it," said a store owner in Tianjin.
--Offline transactions.
Taking the non-standard tape measure as an example, after several trials by the reporter, a shop owner finally revealed his family: it is available for sale, and a variety of specifications are available.
However, the marked price is not the actual price, and you need to wait for the customer service to change the price before paying.
After speaking, the seller quickly withdrew the news vigilantly.
When the reporter asked for a large purchase, the other party sent a series of mobile phone numbers, "the Internet is not safe, it is best to contact by phone."
The instructions for use of the product even have to contact the seller separately after receiving the goods.
The sale of non-standard measuring instruments is severely punished!
Is it safe to use non-standard equipment?
A boss who sells "ghost scales" said: "The artificial weight gain button is hidden in the ordinary button, and there is no difference in appearance from the ordinary electronic scale. You can use it with confidence, and you can't find it."
Some non-standard measuring instruments even have "technical assistance."
The reporter's investigation found that a number of shops sell a scale with a wireless remote control, which can remotely control the scale within a range of 20 meters.
The seller said: "Unplug the power when being checked, and the scale can return to the standard value after restarting, which is very safe."
The reporter consulted with legal experts and learned that it is illegal to sell and use such non-standard equipment.
In 2015, the "Detailed Rules for Penalties for Violation of Measurement Acts" stipulated that those who manufacture, repair, and sell measuring instruments for the purpose of defrauding consumers shall confiscated the measuring instruments and all illegal income, and may also be fined not more than RMB 2,000; if a crime is constituted, the penalty Individuals or entities directly responsible shall be investigated for criminal responsibility in accordance with the law.
In recent years, Tianjin, Shanxi and other places have continued to crack down on the sale and use of non-standard measuring instruments, and a number of criminals have been brought to justice.
The relevant person in charge of the market supervision department of Tianjin Binhai New Area said that illegal measuring instruments on the market will be raided, and once found, they will be confiscated and the relevant persons responsible will be punished.
Some experts believe that e-commerce platforms also have the responsibility and obligation to increase their efforts to identify products that violate the regulations. Once related products are found, they should be removed from the shelves immediately to effectively protect the legal rights of consumers.