Protect shoppers who use online coupon sites

Groupon, Deal.com.sg and Streetdeal.sg — these are some of the popular online deal sites Singaporeans frequent to purchase products or services at bargain prices.

However, in recent months, an increasing number of complaints has been circulating online, raising doubts over the reliability of these sites.

Apparently, consumers are not getting their money’s worth from the deals and are sometimes charged for services they did not consciously buy.

Experiencing unreturned phone calls and emails, diversionary tactics and delayed replies, these consumers are unable to contact or confront site owners directly unless they head down to a site’s headquarters.

Even then, excuses are made about how approval from the management is still being processed and refunds are delayed.

In the case of Streetdeal.sg, consumers have found that even though they accidentally clicked on the purchase button, money was deducted from their accounts and getting a reimbursement in such cases was difficult as emails go unreplied and phone calls are unanswered or cut off.

There is a need to ensure these online coupon sites are operating with integrity. Forthcoming communication from the sites needs to be enforced to protect consumers.

This way, consumers will not be shortchanged or have to deal with unresponsive customer service.