At the end of 2024, the prices of cherries in mainland China experienced a significant drop as cherries imported by sea continued to arrive in the market. The prices of cherries, known as the “fruit of nobility” in previous years, plummeted drastically.
Specifically, the price of Grade J cherries (with a fruit diameter between 26-28 millimeters) dropped to as low as 15 to 20 yuan per kilogram. The prices of Grade 2J and 3J cherries also decreased by more than 30% compared to the initial listing prices, almost halving from previous years.
However, along with the substantial price reduction, some consumers raised concerns about the issue of “inconsistent quality” when purchasing cherries online.
In the cherry grading system, especially for cherries from southern hemisphere origins such as Chile, the diameter of the cherries is often indicated by the letter “J”. The more “J”s, the larger the size of the cherries. 1J generally represents cherries with a diameter between 26-28 millimeters. 2J represents cherries with a diameter between 28-30 millimeters. 3J represents cherries with a diameter between 30-32 millimeters. 4J indicates cherries with a diameter larger than 32 millimeters.
According to a report by China Business News on January 1, especially for buyers seeking high-quality, large-sized cherries, they found that the products they purchased were far from their expectations.
As per standards, Grade 3J cherries should have a diameter between 30mm and 32mm. However, there were reports stating that after purchasing cherries from various sellers online and measuring them, it was found that the number of cherries meeting the size requirements was less than half the expected amount. In the worst case, only 6 cherries in a box met the size criteria.
This phenomenon has raised public concerns about the quality control of goods on e-commerce platforms, with multiple online stores being exposed for quality issues.
Following the incident, some netizens expressed disappointment, saying, “Is this ‘Cherry Freedom’ or simply a ‘Cherry Scam’?! Instead of premium products, what we get after spending money are substandard goods, making the consumer experience extremely unpleasant.”
Other netizens believe that nowadays, e-commerce platforms are willing to sell anything to capture the market without considering the feelings of customers.
“Where are the promised 3J cherries? Are these few small fruits the so-called 3J? Such behavior is pure deception to consumers!”
If consumers encounter instances of “inconsistent quality,” how should they protect their legal rights?
According to reports, consumers can protect their rights based on the Consumer Rights Protection Law.
Firstly, consumers have the right to request a refund or exchange of goods. Secondly, if loss is incurred due to product quality issues, they can claim compensation from the seller.
The specific steps are as follows:
1. Preserve evidence: Keep shopping receipts, chat records, product photos, and other relevant data for future use in rights protection.
2. Communication for resolution: Attempt to negotiate with the merchant in a friendly manner, express dissatisfaction, and propose solutions.
3. Complaint and report: If negotiation fails, consumers can file a complaint with local administration of industry and commerce or consumer associations to request intervention for investigation and resolution.
4. Legal proceedings: Lastly, if the issue remains unresolved, consider seeking a legal solution through judicial means by filing a civil lawsuit to seek a fair judgment.