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Issue 41
17 September 2004
:CASE Cautions Consumers at Furniture Exhibitions
::Good News! CaseTrust for Education is Launched!
:::Chartwell Business School – consumers beware
::::CASE survey on food expiry date
:::::Congratulations to 6 newly CaseTrusted Companies!
::::::Is your Doctor doing more than he should?
:::::::CASE Golf Tournament 2004
:CASE Cautions Consumers at Furniture Exhibitions
CASE cautions all consumers who may wish to visit Furniture Fair to be careful before they place their deposits with exhibitors. There have been reported cases of furniture exhibitors who have, for one reason or another, failed to deliver the goods to the consumers after the fair had ended. Consumers in such instances were unable to recover the deposits which they have placed with the exhibitors.
Consumers should refrain from placing deposits with exhibitors if they are unsure whether the exhibitors are able to honour the agreement.
Click here for the full report of the press release.
::Good News! CaseTrust for Education is Launched!
CASE is pleased to launch of "CaseTrust for Education" on 9 September 2004, a scheme that has been customised specifically to enhance the confidence of students in general and international students in particular and their parents in the quality of education in Singapore.
EDB has approached CASE to help set up and oversee the CaseTrust for Education initiative which will enhance student protection and welfare practices among our Private Education Organisations or PEOs. CaseTrust for Education will become a key component in EDB's Education Excellence Framework for PEOs, enhancing our competitive advantage and ensuring that we will be on track to achieve Singapore's vision of a Global Schoolhouse.
It will give students the assurance since CaseTrust for Education will require private schools to put in place proper systems and practices to look after the welfare and interests of students in Singapore from September 2005. This will encourage international students to view Singapore as an attractive study location. It will also help local students to identify serious schools from the run-on-the-mills.
For details, please log onto: http://www.case.org.sg/casetrust5.htm
:::Chartwell Business School – consumers beware
CASE has received many complaints against Chartwell Business School. The affected students have paid several thousands as school fees with the promise that they will graduate from the courses they have signed up for. The first sign of trouble began when the school started changing teachers regularly for some of the subjects. The situation gradually worsened to the extent that even the owner of the school, who according to the students was not a qualified teacher, had to take up the teaching role. It ultimately shut down last week.
With the new scheme launched jointly by the Economic Development Board and CASE, schools will be required to buy insurance with the students as beneficiaries to ensure that they will get their tuition fees refunded in the event the school folds.
Students affected by the closure of Chartwell Business School are strongly urged to lodge a complaint with CASE at 6461 1811 or email to complaints@case.org.sg.
::::CASE survey on food expiry date
CASE conducted an island-wide food expiry-date survey in 42 major and small-to-medium-sized retail outlets from May to July 2004. The objective of the survey is to gather information about pre-packed food products that have passed their use-by dates.
The table below is a summary of the figures.
Summary of findings
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Number of stores surveyed |
Number of stores with expired food products |
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Major supermarkets, franchised convenience stores |
13 |
3 |
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Small-to-medium retail outlets / mini-marts |
29 |
11 |
Please click here for the full report of the survey.
We are also conducting a poll on this issue. Please go to www.case.org.sg to give us your views.
:::::Congratulations to 6 newly CaseTrusted Companies!
CASE will like to congratulate the following 6 companies for successfully attaining the CaseTrust standard:
1) Air-Con Master
2) Arrow Employment Agency
3) Peace Funeral Home Pte Ltd
4) Perfect Window Filmes Pte Ltd
5) SIN YUAN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY
6) SISTIC.COM PTE LTD
Click here for a brief write up of each company.
Check out www.case.org.sg for the full list of CaseTrusted companies now!
::::::Is your Doctor doing more than he should?
Doctors these days are taking on duties that are outside their traditional function of treating patients, the most recent being the promoting of health supplements during consultations and in talks held at their homes or clinics. Although the Singapore Medical Council and the Singapore Medical Association say that doctors can promote health products that are supported by “good quality scientific evidence”, doctors must disclose their interest to patients before making a referral. The Council however does not condone the promotion of Multi Level Marketing (MLM) per se, meaning the recruiting of people into the MLM structure.
CASE is convinced that this is not a healthy situation as the primary concern of a doctor is the health of the patient and not that of profits. We are also of the view that doctors should not take advantage of patient's trust in them to push products under the MLM scheme.
We urge consumers to complaint to the Singapore Medical Council should they encounter instances of doctors engaging in MLM.
:::::::CASE Golf Tournament 2004
CASE will be organizing its Golf Tournament 2004 on 8 October 2004 at Orchid Country Club. Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister, Prime Minister's Office and Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress, has kindly consented to grace the occasion. Minister of State (Prime Minister’s Office) Mr Othman Haron Eusofe, and Mayors Dr Teo Ho Pin and Mr Matthias Yao are amongst the VIPs who have kindly consented to support the Tournament as well.
We will be most privileged to have your continuing support. This will greatly help us in our endeavour to create an environment for a sustainable fair trading regime; for businesses to thrive; and for consumers to stretch their hard earned dollars.
We invite your organization/company to participate in this fund raising event by taking a flight at $2000, $3500 or any amount above $3500 per flight. Alternatively, any outright donations either in kind or cash will be greatly appreciated.
We are pleased to note that Exklusiv Auto Services Pte Ltd has kindly consented to sponsor a Renault New Megane Sedan 1.6(A) as Hole-in-one prize.
Please note that the CASE’S Endowment Fund IPC status entitles you to double tax deduction for outright cash donations made to the Fund.
For more information please contact Jeh Yaw at 6461 1842 or email jehyaw@case.org.sg.
We look forward to your generous and kind support.
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