The Korea Consumer Agency has issued a warning to consumers, urging them to thoroughly test and review contract terms before purchasing medical devices such as massage chairs, massagers, and hearing aids. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – The Korea Consumer Agency has issued a warning to consumers, urging them to thoroughly test and review contract terms before purchasing medical devices such as massage chairs, massagers, and hearing aids. This comes in response to a steady stream of consumer complaints and dissatisfaction with these products.
According to data released by the agency on July 12, there have been 1,188 requests for remedy related to medical devices since 2021, with over 350 cases reported annually. Massage chairs, including rentals, topped the list with 508 cases (42.8%), followed by massagers with 153 cases (12.9%), and hearing aids with 99 cases (8.3%). Together, these three categories account for 64% of all complaints.
For massage chairs, the most common grievance was persistent malfunctions even after repairs, accounting for 145 cases (28.5%). In one extreme instance, a consumer reported having their chair repaired eight times for the same issue.
Massagers often fell short of expectations in terms of effectiveness or caused side effects, while hearing aids were frequently criticized for inadequate performance. Some consumers also reported being billed despite returning products within the free trial period.
Overall, quality-related issues dominated the complaints at 63.3% (752 cases), followed by contract-related problems at 30.5% (362 cases), and issues with labeling and advertising at 3.6% (43 cases).
The agency noted a concerning trend: while quality-related complaints are decreasing, contract-related issues, such as refusal of contract cancellations or unexpected penalty fees, are on the rise. Of the total complaints, 264 were related to rental contracts, with 40.2% of these involving contract disputes.
In one case from February last year, a consumer who rented a massage chair discovered leather stains and scratches upon delivery. When they requested an exchange, the company only offered repairs and threatened a 1.5 million won penalty for contract termination.
The demographic breakdown of complainants reveals that consumers aged 60 and above were the most affected, accounting for 28.4% (333) of the 1,172 cases where age was recorded. Those in their 40s and 50s followed closely, representing 27% and 22.6% respectively.
The Korea Consumer Agency advises consumers to thoroughly test products before purchase, considering that the effectiveness of medical devices can vary from person to person. They also recommend checking product reviews and carefully reviewing contract terms.
“It’s crucial to keep all relevant documents, including receipts, warranty cards, and advertising materials, in case of disputes,” a spokesperson for the agency stated. They further advised seeking professional medical diagnosis before purchasing specialized medical devices and promptly notifying sellers of any defects, with supporting evidence.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
