E-commerce site shuts down without prior notice: Taipei government

Taipei, July 18 (CNA) A local e-commerce furniture site apparently shut down without prior notice, according to Taipei City Government's Department of Legal Affairs, which warned of possible consumer rights violations and disputes.

According to the department, Taipei-based e-commerce furniture site "Homee" appears to have ceased operations without issuing an official announcement to consumers.

On Friday, department officials and agents from Taipei's Office of Commerce visited the site's headquarters in the city.

The city government officials discovered the office was locked, with building management adding that employees of the company had not been seen entering or exiting the premises for some time.

Regarding potential consumer disputes, officials from the department's consumer protection branch warned that such cases are unlikely to be resolved through out-of-court mediation mechanisms.

Officials suggested that consumers should obtain and retain all transaction records with the site.

In the event the Homee site refuses to refund its consumers, victims who paid in cash (or bank transfers) could file a legal case to request a refund of the remaining balance through a payment order, they added.

In addition, those who have topped up shopping credits using credit cards should contact their banks to apply for a refund in consumer dispute cases.

The department added that anyone involved in a consumer dispute with the site can call the city's consumer service hotline "1950" or "1999" ext. 7812 for consumer consultation to protect their rights.

Run by Taiwan's Homee Omo Lab Co., Ltd., the Homee website is currently still operational as of press time.