(Risk Avoidance Research Institute) column produced
The “New Consumer Watch” (Risk Avoidance Research Institute) column is rooted in protecting consumers’ rights and interests. It launches the “New Consumer Risk Avoidance Guide,” and every week systematically reviews publicly available information from platforms such as 12315 and the Black Cat Complaints [Download the Black Cat Complaints app], focusing on prominent issues in the consumer sector. It selects typical problems from 10 companies, exposes their illegal or noncompliant conduct, and provides references to help consumers avoid risks. It helps consumers identify traps, safeguard their rights according to the law, and together foster a safe and reassuring consumption environment.
This week’s complaint-covered companies span multiple sectors, including smart home appliances, online education, automobiles, beauty and cosmetics, book e-commerce, house rentals, and catering. The main issues center on product quality failures and safety hazards, false advertising, price misdirection, improper content review, doubts about indoor air quality in rental housing, and indifferent service attitudes, among others.
The following are key enterprises, products/services, and specific issues receiving complaints this period:
1. Yunjing
Product or service complained about: Robot vacuum cleaner
Typical issue: Product quality problems
Complaint details: A consumer reports that on January 31, 2026, after purchasing Yunjing robot vacuum cleaner “Yunjing Xiaoyao 002max” on Yunjing’s online store, the product experienced multiple malfunctions within only 4 months, including getting lost and making abnormal sounds. In addition, during use it also scratched and damaged the floor, and caused the carpet to become soaked and ruined. The consumer now requests a return and refund from the seller.
2. Duolingo
Product or service complained about: Free trial service
Typical issue: Sales inducement/impulse buying
Complaint details: Recently, consumers complained about “Duolingo free trial hidden trap.” They said that on June 28, 2026, when their child was using the Duolingo app to study, a message popped up saying “Free 7-day trial,” but it did not notify that an annual fee of 588 yuan would be automatically charged after the trial ended. Then the platform automatically deducted 588 yuan via Alipay Credit (Huabei). The consumer requests that the charges be refunded and handled accordingly.
3. Dongfeng Honda
Product or service complained about: Automobiles
Typical issue: Rust penetrates the chassis base
Complaint details: A car owner reports that the Dongfeng Honda CR-V they bought 8 years ago has received standard maintenance and periodic undercarriage cleaning for a long time, and there has been no water submersion or major accidents. However, recently, an inspection found that the main frame beam and suspension mounting brackets on the undercarriage have extensive rust penetration, with steel plates developing through-holes. This creates a fatal driving safety hazard. At the same time, many owners of the same model have reported that the CR-V undercarriage rust-prevention has a batch defect, which is a product quality problem from the factory and not caused by improper personal use. The car owner requests that the manufacturer promptly inspect and assess the vehicle, and complete repairs and safety remediation free of charge.
4. Usee&YI
Product or service complained about: Eye-protecting pills
Typical issue: Fake place of origin
Complaint details: A consumer reports that since June 2024, they have bought four bottles of Usee&YI eye-protecting pills on an e-commerce platform. According to a CCTV report, the product’s advertised “imported from Australia” is alleged to actually be manufactured in China, and the overseas address registered on record does not match the advertised information. The consumer believes the goods are involved in false advertising and consumer fraud, and therefore demands that the seller refund the purchase and provide compensation. They also require the platform to assume corresponding responsibilities according to law.
5. Guangzhou Chimelong
Product or service complained about: Amusement park ticket
Typical issue: Price difference add-on charges
Complaint details: Some consumers complain that they previously bought Guangzhou Chimelong Water Park “Early Bird Tickets” through an e-commerce platform. During purchase, they were told to order early to avoid subsequent price increases. However, when they actually used the tickets for entry, they were still required to pay the price difference. Moreover, after paying the price difference, the ticket price was even higher than the normal ticket purchase price.
6. Huazhixiao
Product or service complained about: Cosmetics
Typical issue: Not achieving advertised effects
Complaint details: Some consumers report that they purchased two Huazhixiao Brightening Serums in December of last year. However, during actual use, they found that the product did not achieve the brightening effect advertised; it was no different from when they did not use it. They also noticed the product peeling paint. The consumer therefore believes Huazhixiao is involved in false advertising and demands a refund and a return of the purchase price.
7. Dangdang
Product or service complained about: Children’s picture books
Typical issue: Vulgar content
Complaint details: A consumer complained that, after buying children’s science-education picture books (Captain Dakebi [1–5], exclusive for Haitong edition) on Dangdang, they discovered multiple instances of vulgar wording in the book. The books contain a large number of “borderline” comics depicting affection and sexual acts, as well as jokes using animals’ private parts to create yellow-humor, intentionally creating sexual innuendo. The consumer believes the platform failed to fulfill its content review responsibilities by listing illegal publications harmful to children’s physical and mental health, and requests a refund, removal of the related books, and feedback on the handling results.
8. Ziroom
Product or service complained about: Rental housing
Typical issue: Formaldehyde levels exceed the standard
Complaint details: A tenant reports that on April 25, 2026, they rented a “Brand-new, fully furnished first-rental apartment” on the Ziroom platform, and later found that the apartment had a strong, irritating odor. Upon entering, they experienced symptoms such as painful sensations in the nasal passages and coughing, and they claim that the air quality did not meet standards, with concerns about formaldehyde and other harmful gases exceeding limits. Meanwhile, the consumer says that the renovation completion time stated by the platform during property viewings does not match what the property management公示 shows: the apartment was rented out when it had been under renovation for less than 1 month. They now request to terminate the contract without liability and to have the deposit, remaining rent, and related fees returned.
9. M&G Stationery (晨光文具)
Product or service complained about: Invoice-issuing service
Typical issue: Invoices cannot be issued in a compliant manner
Complaint details: On June 3, 2026, a consumer purchased three backpacks from the Morning Glory official flagship store and submitted an application to issue an invoice. The first round of the three invoices failed reimbursement verification. The consumer asked Morning Glory customer service to issue a consolidated general invoice. However, in the subsequent invoices, the seller set both a “subtotal” and a “total” line, repeatedly filling in the same pre-tax amount and tax amount, which caused the reimbursement system’s stacked calculations to result in a verification failure. After the consumer provided the results of the financial verification, Morning Glory denied that there was a problem with the invoice issuance, and shifted responsibility to the consumer, causing the consumer’s reimbursement to remain stalled.
10. AUX
Product or service complained about: Washing machine
Typical issue: Screws rusting
Complaint details: A consumer reports that on June 9, 2026, they bought an AUX baby-dedicated washing machine to wash newborn’s next-to-skin clothing. The product promotion states that the inner tub is made of stainless steel. However, after less than half a month of use, the fixed screws on the bottom base of the inner tub developed widespread rust. The consumer believes the seller intentionally concealed that the core water-contact fixed screws are made of inferior, rust-prone carbon steel, and intentionally split the material components to swap concepts, which constitutes misleading and deceptive conduct toward consumers.