THE Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal awarded nearly RM10,000 to a food scientist who paid a RM20,000 deposit for a luxury watch that never arrived and received a fake designer bag instead.
Low Lee Wan, 28, said she made the payment after dealing with a seller who operated an online platform and also had a physical shop in Klang, Selangor.
“The seller promised that I would receive the watch within three days, along with the warranty card and receipt.
“But I did not receive the watch at all,” she said when met outside the tribunal’s office at Menara Ansar, Johor Baru.
Low said the total price of the luxury watch was RM27,300 and she was only required to pay the remaining RM7,300 upon receiving the item.
She said that after repeatedly delaying the delivery and giving various excuses, the seller eventually agreed to refund her money.
“The seller also offered a luxury bag worth more than RM2,000 as compensation for the inconvenience caused,” said Low.
“The seller initially insisted that the bag was genuine, before later admitting that it was fake after I compared it with an authentic version.”
The claimant said she only received about RM13,000 in refunds, despite making repeated requests for the remaining amount.
Low said the seller later proposed an instalment payment plan, but payments were not made consistently.
Tribunal president Hafez Zalkapli, who heard the case, ordered the respondent, who was absent during the proceedings, to refund RM9,955 to the claimant within 14 days.
The amount comprised the remaining RM7,000 and RM2,955 for the value of the luxury bag.
In a separate case, a cabinet company sales manager successfully defended his company against a customer’s claim for a full refund over a kitchen cabinet installation dispute.
Respondent Syamsul Mohamed, 47, said the claimant had agreed to the cabinet design and materials before installation works began at a house in Johor Baru.
“We signed the agreement after the claimant agreed to the cabinet design presented by the company in 3D drawings and was satisfied with the materials to be used,” he said.
Syamsul, who represented his company during the proceedings, said the total package cost RM45,945.
He said the claimant made the bookings on Sept 21, 2025, before installation works began on Oct 10 the same year.
“The claimant started expressing dissatisfaction with the workmanship before the project was fully completed,” said Syamsul.
“To avoid further disputes, the company’s management instructed the workers to complete the remaining works, including installing the door handles and carrying out touch-up works, without requesting the balance payment from the claimant.”
He added that the claimant had already paid RM38,000 by Oct 8, 2025.
“The claimant later became unhappy with the cabinet workmanship and filed a claim with the tribunal seeking a full refund as well as for the cabinets to be removed from the house,” said Syamsul.
However, Hafez dismissed the claimant’s case.
Those who need assistance can contact Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal at 07-227 1755/ 1766 or visit its office at Level 17, Menara Ansar, Jalan Trus, Johor Baru.
The office is open Mondays to Thursdays from 8am to 5pm, and 8am to 4pm on Fridays, except during national or Johor state public holidays.
