The Trends of Consumer Damage Types in Korea during 1995-2000

초록

The purpose of this study was to find the trends of consumer damage types in Korea during 1995-2000. Content analysis method was used with the data in "Cases of Consumer Problems" published by the Korea Consumer Protection Board (KCPB) during 1995-2000. Major findings were as follows:The cases that consumers reported their damages consist of 70.9% for goods, 9.3% for services related goods, and 19.8% for services in 1995 and 51.8%, 9.8%, 38.4% respectively in 2000. The cases of damage types were classified based on purchasing items, reasons of damage reporting, sales types, and sales process types. Purchasing items which include all kinds of educational materials for children through adults, books/CDs, health aid foods, cars, and dry cleaning were more likely to be reported than others during last 5 years. Mobile phone appeared on the list of 10 major items of consumer reported damages for the first time in 1999, and took the first place with dramatic increases in 2000. Cases in internet services, materials for self-studying foreign language, and personal computer appeared on the major items list of top 10 consumer reported damages for the first time in 2000. Based on the reasons of damage reportings, over 90% of all cases were classified into refusal of cancelling contract, quality of goods and services, and improper after-service during 1995-2000. While improper after-service cases have decreased, cases regarding the quality of goods and services, and the refusal of cancelling contract have increased continuously during this period. The trend of consumer damages according to sales type was found that the portion of visiting sales type has increased untill 1997 and then decreased untill 2000. The portion of other special sales types (except normal sales type) has increased during 1995-2000. Sales process types were classified into hypnotic sales, false personation, catch sales, home party, negative option, deception of membership, certification etc., and new and ve