Consumer rights

[Guest realmayo]

You can't win in (mainland) China. If you buy something cheap the quality will be poor. If you buy something expensive, there's a good chance it's fake and you've been conned. I get the impression that the attitude is to accept that most things are just a bit shit. And to make sure you buy tonnes of stuff whenever you travel to another country (or HK).

I also think that a few foreigners complaining about shoddy goods is not going to have any effect on this issue!

[Scandinavian]

Seems a bit defeatist.

Although I do not expect one pale foreigner in a pair of broken sandals will change the mind of a billion people.

[roddy]

If you want to pursue it and you've given up on the shop itself, try...

The mall management office may actually have a complaints desk. I think this is maybe more common in, eg, 电子城s, where fakery and sharp practices are rife and damage the reputation of the building as a whole, but it might be worth a look.

Consumer helpline. Don't write this off, they may actually surprise you. Bullying and fining businesses while looking good helping the public is a win-win situation for the Chinese government (in the 'we win, twice' sense. If you can get the shops phone number, give that to the helpline and explain the situation I wouldn't be too shocked if you actually got a result. Don't be surprised if you end up a front page spread in the local newspaper though.

The brand itself - least likely, I think.

At the least, enjoy the language practice!

Although I do not expect one pale foreigner in a pair of broken sandals will change the mind of a billion people.

All hail China's Gandi. Oh no, wait, you need to do some Youku videos and go viral. Internet Personality Name: 破鞋哥!

[imron]

Internet Personality Name: 破鞋哥!

hahahaha

[skylee]

Surely you guys know what 破鞋 means, right?

[Guest realmayo]

Better still jump on Yang Rui's anti-foreigner campaign:

"The Public Security Bureau wants to clean out the foreign trash: To arrest foreign thugs and protect innocent vendors, they need to concentrate on the disaster zones in Wangfujing and Nanjing Road. Cut off the foreign snake feet. People who can’t find jobs in the U.S. and Europe come to China to grab our money, engage in shoe shopping and spread deceitful lies while demanding refunds. Foreign spies seek out Chinese girls to mask their espionage and pretend to be tourists while compiling maps and GPS data for Nike, Addidas and Clarks. We kicked out that foreign bitch and closed Al-Reebok’s Beijing bureau. We should shut up those who demonize Made in China and send them packing."

[malanting]

Surely you guys know what 破鞋 means, right?

:shock: :lol:

[Silent]

Although I do not expect one pale foreigner in a pair of broken sandals will change the mind of a billion people.

I don't see why only some shoddy foreigners should complain. It's a general attitude issue, the bad products are not only sold to foreigners. At least I don't think so....

[imron]

Surely you guys know what 破鞋 means, right?

That's why it's funny

[xiaocai]

You see, I have lived in some "western countries" for some years, generally I've found the quality of most products I buy is about the same to what I buy in China. The difference used to be bigger, but not too much now. I only occasionally bring some small gifts for family members when I go back, and that's it. I've found I actually buy more clothes and footwear when I go back home. One of the reasons that in China retailers are more reluctant to give refund is because the profit margin of many basic products is much lower in China and it will make some businesses hard to sustain it they offer unconditional refund (I know of course it may also have something to do with the general mentality of Chinese people, particularly the tendency to avoid confrontation, but I don't plan to go so far here). But as I said, my personal experience so far has been mostly okay. Things I bought from shopping malls which were faulty have all been handled accordingly. I did not expect too much from those night market hawkers, and there is normally no proof of purchase to start with anyway. But maybe I will try going back and argue with them, and maybe I can actually get something back, who knows.

Anyway, I feel sorry for your case. I think it may be worthwhile to make a complaint to 消费者协会 though. Just call 12315. Maybe skip the video part, though. Getting called 破鞋 only because you bought a pair of faulty sandals is just totally not worth it.

[Scandinavian]

I don't see why only some shoddy foreigners should complain. It's a general attitude issue, the bad products are not only sold to foreigners. At least I don't think so....

Not sure I like being called "a shoddy foreigner". I would never think that this is something that only happens to foreigners.

[skylee]

It does not sound that funny to me. But perhaps I just lack that kind of sense of humour.

[imron]

I guess Roddy's sense of humour is rather particular.

[rob07]

Not sure I like being called "a shoddy foreigner".

That seemed strange. Maybe all that was meant was that you had been shod. With substandard sandals. Arguably all footwear is shoddy.

[rob07]

Surely you guys know what 破鞋 means, right?

Edited details of question about offensive word answered by xiaocai below.

[xiaocai]

破鞋 in Chinese is kind of like cunt in English, very offensive. I just wish to suggest that even you can't resist, please use it as less as you can.

[rob07]

Thanks for explaining, I'll remember.

[imron]

I just wish to suggest that even you can't resist, please use it as less as you can.

Maybe Roddy's just been reading too much 王小波.

Anyway, just on a question of usage, I realise it's not a polite word, but is it really on par with what is arguably one of the most offensive words in the English language? (genuine question)

[xiaocai]

It is hard to explain, at least for me. But let me try me best. It is not really "dirty" or "vulgar" per se. The word itself is actually kind of 隐晦 and has historical reference. But because the connotation it carries (women are treated as men's possessions like shoes, and can be 弃之如敝履 once been used) and its extensive usage during the cultural revolution for sexual violence, it is considered extremely discriminative, derogatory to women, and even misogynous sometimes. Maybe my analogy was not very appropriate and accurate because of my limited understanding of profanity in English. Probably it is more like the word nigger, which was derived from Latin, but now is generally considered as being very offensive to dark skinned people. So, avoid using this word, especially in front of a female, whenever possible.

[imron]

Ok, thanks for the clarification. I had previously assumed it was more or less about the same level of offensiveness as the word 'slut' in English.