Comfort Castle Closes Amid Unfair⁤ Trade Practices and Consumer Complaints

Physical, a chain of‍ fitness and beauty centers, has temporarily⁤ closed its doors, sparking a wave of ‍complaints ​from consumers. The⁣ government has⁣ set up a dedicated inter-departmental ​investigation team to follow up on ⁣the case.

Consumer ‍Council Receives Over 2,400 Complaints

The Consumer Council ⁣has received a total of 2,429 complaints about the ⁣incident, ⁣involving a total amount of NT$86,417,562.⁣ The average amount involved per case was NT$35,577, with the highest amount involved being ⁢NT$1,817,600⁣ and the lowest ⁢being NT$99.

Customs and Police Launch Investigation

Customs and the‌ police have launched a ‌joint investigation into the unfair trade practices of Physical, ‌with the customs receiving over 900 reports involving more⁤ than NT$38 million in prepaid ‌fitness and‍ beauty services. The police have received 20 related ​reports, with losses ranging from NT$2,000 to⁢ NT$660,000.

Directors Arrested and Released on Bail

Two directors ⁢of Physical, ⁢Lu⁤ Yiqiang and He Yuhua, have been arrested on suspicion of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. They have been ⁢released on bail pending investigation.

Consumer Council Warns of Risks in Prepayment Consumption

The⁢ Consumer Council has warned consumers of ‍the risks ⁤involved in prepayment consumption, particularly in⁤ the​ fitness and beauty industry. Director-General Huang Fengxian has advised ⁢consumers to be ⁤cautious when signing contracts and to firmly refuse ⁢if⁢ they do not want to purchase services.

Case⁢ Involving Over​ NT$1.8 Million

In one case, a woman had signed a 10-year membership contract in​ 2016, followed by two more memberships in 2023, each with a 10-year contract that will take effect in 2026‍ and⁢ 2037. ‍The total amount involved was over NT$1.8‍ million, with some classes not‌ yet ⁣started and valid until 2050.

Lowest Case Involving ‍NT$99

In another case, a consumer had paid NT$99 for a monthly credit card payment, but was unable to ‍contact the merchant to suspend the payment, resulting in‌ a⁤ “chicken and egg” issue.

Consumer ⁢Council Urges Consumers‍ to ⁢Report to Customs

The​ Consumer Council has urged ⁢affected consumers to report to Customs,​ with over 73 complaints involving elderly people aged 65 or above, ‌involving up⁣ to NT$300,000.