Image: Visual China

BEIJING, January 28 (TMTPOST) — China Consumers Association has called for stricter regulation on mystery box sales, advocating a ban on mystery box sales targeting underage minors.

Mystery boxes bring excitement and entertainment to consumers because they function like lucky draws, according to China Consumers Association. However, the mystery box business has also raised many concerns, the association pointed out.

This is not the first time for China Consumers’ Association to scrutinize the mystery box business. The association called out KFC and Pop Mart’s crossover campaign, the Dimoo Mystery Box Meal, earlier in January, criticizing the marketing campaign’s potential of causing food waste.

See also: KFC Called Out by China Consumers Association for Causing Overconsumption

The association publicized a list of complaints on mystery box sales it has received from consumers.

1.    Mystery boxes contained products of bad quality or close to expiry date.

2.    Promotion and marketing campaigns promoted materialism and cause waste.

3.    Mystery boxes contained live animals that are sick.

4.    Mystery box businesses refused to provide customer services and take on after-sales responsibilities.

5.    Mystery box businesses lured minors to consume mystery boxes using marketing strategies such as limited collection.

6.    Mystery box sales had unclear rules, lacking transparency in chances to get certain items.

China Consumers Association advised that stricter control over mystery box sales should be implemented to curb illegal and problematic operations to protect consumers’ legal rights. Suggestions made by China Consumers Association include banning mystery box marketing that targets underage minors and specifying play rules, etc.

The association also stressed that mystery box businesses should comply with relevant rules and regulations and take up social responsibility. Businesses should not engage in business operations and marketing campaigns that are problematic and unethical. For instance, the association pointed out that businesses should not try to manipulate consumers by creating speculation on the market.

The association highlighted that consumers should also stay alerted and be mindful of manipulative marketing campaigns.