HKTV mall hit by 'suspicious' claims of non-payments

Ayra Wang

HKTV mall has responded to claims from suppliers alleging that the online shopping platform failed to pay them over the past month and after complaints flooded its Facebook page.

The company reassured them its financial standing is solid and that it would fulfill its contractual obligations by paying them accordingly.

The allegations emerged as numerous comments flooded its Facebook page, purportedly by disgruntled merchants,with the company accused of unethical practices, such as constantly modifying contract terms and pressuring merchants into contract renewals.

One online user, Yu May, expressed frustration, saying: "Give me my money, you guys only know how to trick merchants to join the platform and don't care about the lives of small merchants like us."

Another user, Fu Sai-kit, accused the company of being a "money-stealing company" and claimed that it manipulates contract terms and sets traps for merchants during contract renewals.

Some comments specifically called for an explanation from Ricky Wong Wai-kay, the chairman of HKTV mall.

A Facebook group named "Merchant suffers! There is no way to complain" gained significant traction, amassing nearly 1,000 members.

Some within the group urged others to boycott HKTV mall by temporarily closing their stores for three days.

However, skepticism arose among some people online over the authenticity of the complaints, with suspicions sparked by their repetitive nature and automated accounts

They also alleged that many of the accounts behind the comments had fake identities, with profile pictures being stolen from platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Weibo.

HKTV mall, in stressing its financial position remains strong, assured merchants that periodic compliance reports will be sent via emails and payments will be issued within 10 to 15 working days after the last day of each month, as stipulated in contracts.

Regarding contract renewals, it denied allegations of coercing merchants into renewals without their consent.

Merchants who wish to terminate contracts, it said, must submit applications three months prior to the envisaged termination date.

In the first year of a contract, it sends reminders to merchants three months before the termination date to inform them about renewal arrangements. For subsequent years, the contract is automatically renewed.

It said the payment distribution and contract renewal processes have been in place for a considerable period.