In 2024, Singaporean consumers reported total prepayment losses exceeding $1.9 million, over four times higher than in 2023, according to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). A significant portion of this amount, approximately $728,000, stemmed from the home renovation sector. In many cases, customers who had paid upfront fees found their contractors unresponsive or unable to complete the work, forcing them to seek alternative providers mid-project.
Following renovations, bridal services accounted for the next largest share of losses, estimated around $284,000. This was largely due to the sudden shuttering of major bridal company such as Love Nest and its related outlets, L’atelier and Love Story Wedding Boutique, which had continued selling packages even after liquidation began early 2023. The home moving industry also saw significant losses, totaling roughly $134,000 from undelivered goods or damaged items.
Beyond renovation and wedding related services, the automotive sector topped complaint figures last year, followed by electronics, beauty and entertainment. Notably, 35% of automotive complaints involved car-sharing and leasing services, up from 33% in 2023 (singaporelawwatch.sg). The entertainment sector saw a dramatic 281% increase in complaints, mainly due to cancelled events like the Sky Lantern Festival and issues surrounding ticket resales. F&B and telecom sectors also experienced upticks in grievances, with F&B up 24% and telecom up 34%, tied to safety violations and connectivity problems, respectively.
E-commerce-related complaints hit record highs: CASE received 4,641 cases in 2024, marking a 25% rise from the 3,711 in 2023. These complaints spanned multiple industries, including entertainment and food delivery. CASE noted that resolution rates for major platforms like Shopee and Lazada stand at about 90%, thanks to their dispute-resolution mechanisms.
TLDR; Key Takeaways:
1. Prepayment losses in 2024 reached $1.93 million, a sharp rise from 2023.
2. Home renovation led to the most losses $728k, primarily due to uncontactable contractors.
3. Bridal and moving services followed, with losses of about $284k and $134k, respectively.
4. Consumer advisory: The vast majority of complaints were tied to non‑accredited renovation firms. To protect your interests, always check for HDB and CASE accreditations, which offer insurance-backed safeguards and clearer contractual terms.
Source: asiaone.com