Singaporean Tourist Faces US$3,900 Bill for Herbs in Hong Kong

A Singaporean tourist recently encountered a shocking bill of HK$30,400 (approximately US$3,908) for herbs purchased at a pharmacy in Hong Kong. This incident highlights ongoing issues related to deceptive sales practices within local pharmacies, a concern echoed by the Hong Kong Consumer Council.

In a statement released on September 15, 2023, the council reported receiving a total of 548 complaints regarding malpractice in pharmacies from January to August this year. This figure marks a slight decrease from the 556 complaints recorded during the same period in 2022. Among these grievances was the case of the female tourist, who was charged an exorbitant price for herbs following misleading sales tactics.

The tourist and her family entered a medicine shop intending to buy facial cleansers. They were approached by a salesperson who aggressively promoted various herbs, including milk thistle, which is often marketed as a liver supplement. The shop offered a deal that appeared enticing, advertising “buy 80, get 5 free.”

During the sales process, the shop displayed a weight of 0.85 on the scale, but did not clarify the pricing unit used. The label indicated a price of HK$380 per “tael,” leading the tourist to mistakenly believe she would be paying around HK$300 for the herbs. However, after the herbs were ground into powder, she was presented with a staggering bill of HK$30,400.

Startled by the unexpected total, she immediately inquired about the price. The shop staff explained that the pricing unit was actually “mace,” not “tael.” In Hong Kong, 1 mace is equivalent to 3.78 grams, while a tael is roughly 37.8 grams. Despite the shocking price, the tourist opted to pay rather than dispute the matter in front of her three children.

The pharmacy insisted that its pricing label clearly indicated “mace” as the unit of measurement, but neither party could provide photographic evidence to support their claims. Initially, the shop offered a partial refund of HK$21,280, without requiring the herbs to be returned. The tourist declined this offer, prompting a series of mediations by the Consumer Council. Ultimately, the shop agreed to issue a full refund upon the return of the product, bringing the case to a resolution.

Concerns Over Sales Practices in Hong Kong

This case is part of broader concerns regarding sales practices in Hong Kong’s pharmacies. The Consumer Council noted that common complaints include ambiguous pricing units, imitation products, and misleading packaging. Such practices not only damage the reputation of Hong Kong’s retail and tourism sectors but also erode tourists’ trust in the city’s shopping environment.

The council strongly urged pharmacies and local medicine shops to clearly display pricing units for goods such as Chinese herbal medicine and dried seafood. It emphasized the need for traders to explain the costs clearly before completing transactions. Furthermore, accurate details on receipts are crucial, as they serve as key evidence in case of disputes.

“To maintain consumer trust, the industry must abandon misleading sales tactics and strengthen self-discipline,” the council stated. It is also essential for consumers to be vigilant, checking measurement units, clarifying total costs, and ensuring that receipts reflect the correct product names and quantities.

Shoppers are encouraged to support reputable retailers and look for the “No Fakes” pledge sticker displayed at store entrances. Each sticker is valid for one year and indicates a commitment to authenticity.

As Hong Kong continues to attract millions of tourists annually, maintaining integrity in business practices is vital for safeguarding its reputation as a major shopping destination.