The "2021 Consumer Rights Protection Report in the Field of Off-campus Education and Training" (hereinafter referred to as the "Report") recently released by the China Consumers Association pointed out that there are still many unfair terms in the current off-campus education and training industry, difficult after-sales rights protection, false propaganda, and prepayment. There are four major problems in the risk of fees.
The "Report" shows that since the State Administration for Market Regulation and other relevant departments have successively introduced relevant regulatory measures and carried out market rectification actions in accordance with the "Opinions on Further Reducing the Burden of Students' Homework and Off-campus Training in Compulsory Education", the protection of consumer rights and interests has generally been has been significantly improved.
However, due to the lag of relevant laws and policies, the lack of sound supervision and management mechanism, the impact of the epidemic and industry policies, and the lack of rational consumption awareness among consumers, the phenomenon of frequent consumption infringements in the field of off-campus education and training and the difficulty of consumer rights protection still exist.
The "Report" pointed out that there are still many problems in the current off-campus education and training industry: First, there are many contract disputes.
When training institutions formulate standard contracts, there are many unfair terms for consumers.
Second, after-sales problems are difficult to solve.
After-sales service channels are not smooth, some training institutions, especially online training institutions, do not pay attention to after-sales service, and "lost contact" after consumers pay; some training institutions close their doors and run away due to poor management, refuse or delay refunds, and set harsh refunds Conditions, etc;
Third, there are many false propaganda methods.
Fake trainee training cases, teachers and training effects, fabricate consumer evaluation data, etc.
Fourth, the risk of prepaid consumption is high.
Some training institutions use discounts to induce a large amount of prepaid fees, which are difficult to recover due to poor management, broken capital chains, bankruptcy, and running away; But still have to repay the loan on time.
The "Report" puts forward suggestions from the perspective of strengthening the protection of consumers' rights and interests, including improving relevant legislation, strengthening collaborative governance, further clarifying the main body of supervision and its responsibilities, establishing a daily supervision and law enforcement mechanism, and strengthening the investigation and punishment of illegal acts by training institutions.
(Yang Zhaokui)