Chinese woman’s viral car salesroom protest shows uphill struggle for consumer rights
- Tearful showdown ultimately successful, but many fear such high-profile stunts are the only way to protect their rights
- Complaining customers face obstacles that mean many businesses feel able to act with impunity
A Chinese woman’s tearful protest at a Mercedes-Benz showroom has inspired a wave of copycat incidents across the country – but also highlighted the difficulties consumers face in getting redress for faulty goods and services.
A video of the woman sitting on the bonnet of her car complaining that she had not been properly compensated for a leaky engine went viral and forced the showroom to offer her a new car.
But Shanghai resident Deng Yina’s complaint received considerably less attention.
After part of her balcony was demolished during refurbishment works at the end of last year, she lost power in her home whenever it rained.
The workers had promised to insulate the electric wires on the balcony, “but they apparently did not do it well and caused the blackout in my house”, Deng said.
“I went to raise the issue with them several times. At first they told me that the circuit should be fine, without even visiting my home to check. Later they just said it was my own affair and we should fix it ourselves.”
