Photo: Elaine Heng

Tokyo Bust Express has given an undertaking that it will cease false claims and stop pressure sales tactics, after investigation revealed that it made “false and unsubstantiated representations” that misled customers about its treatments and products, said the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) on Friday (25 June).

Based on its Instagram page, Tokyo Bust Express claims to be “Singapore’s No. 1 Trusted Bust Specialist”.

In a statement, CCCS noted that these false representations related to how Tokyo Bust Express’ treatments could “increase customers’ bust cup sizes or prevent breast diseases (including cancer) and how certain ingredients in its products had bust enhancement effects”.

It also stated that the beauty company was found to exert “undue pressure” on customers to purchase its products and treatments.

“The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) had referred the case to CCCS after TBE [ Tokyo Bust Express] had failed to comply with the Voluntary Compliance Agreement entered with CASE in May 2015,” said CCCS.

According to CASE’s consumer advisory released on 26 July 2019, it received a total of 37 pressure sales complaints against the company from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2019.

In the course of investigations, Tokyo Bust Express has made changes in its business practices to comply with the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA), said CCCS.

It added that the company has also “taken steps to remove objectionable posts on its social media platforms and all claims in its marketing materials relating to the ability of its treatments to prevent or reduce bust related illnesses”.

Furthermore, Tokyo Bust Express has given an undertaking that it will do the following:

  • Stop engaging in the identified unfair practices referred to in paragraph 1 above;
  • Not make any claims or guarantees about the results, benefits or effects of its treatments or products unless these are substantiated;
  • Take all reasonable steps to make sure that its staff do not harass or exert undue pressure on customers to purchase its treatments or products;
  • Include in its agreements/invoices/receipts for its services or products a term that allows customers a 5-day cooling-off period to cancel their transactions and make sure that this term is made known to its customers;
  • Put in place an internal compliance policy to make sure that its marketing materials and practices comply with the CPFTA; and
  • Make sure that its staff are familiar with the types of conduct that would amount to an unfair practice under the CPFTA.

Following that, CCCS said that it has decided to close the investigation after considering the facts of the case and the steps taken by Tokyo Bust Express.

“However, CCCS will initiate further investigations against TBE if it breaches the undertaking or if it engages in any other unfair practices,” it added.

CCCS went on to say that it is working with CASE to monitor the beauty industry, which is an industry that “consistently sees one of the highest rates of consumer complaints made to CASE”.

“Consumers should note that they can refuse any deals or packages offered by businesses and can decline products that are marketed with dubious claims or aggressive sales tactics. Consumers who encounter unfair practices can approach CASE for assistance,” it remarked.

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