After returning from abroad, Ms. Liu entrusted a logistics company to transport 4 pieces of luggage back to her hometown, only to find that 3 of them "arrived as expected" while the most valuable one "disappeared without a trace." The logistics company stated that they could only compensate with one hundred yuan. However, an investigation by the reporter revealed that the so-called logistics company named "Beijing Century Longxin Freight Company" had a non-existent business registration number on their website. The Fengtai Nanyuan Business Office confirmed that the company was operating illegally.
The baggage worth ten thousand yuan disappeared during transportation. After returning from abroad, Ms. Liu, due to having a lot of luggage, found a logistics company online beforehand. Both parties agreed that the logistics company would transport 4 pieces of luggage back to Huanglong County, Shaanxi Province. On the afternoon of December 9, 2011, Ms. Liu arrived at Capital Airport and called the logistics company, after which a driver was dispatched along with a "contract."
"There were a total of 4 pieces of luggage: two suitcases and two cardboard boxes. When filling out the forms, they said there was no need to write in too much detail; just noting down 4 pieces of luggage would suffice," Ms. Liu recalled. A Mr. Hu, responsible person from the logistics company, instructed her over the phone on how to fill out the form and promised that the goods would be delivered within three days.
However, the promise made by the logistics company was not fulfilled. Until December 22 of last year, 3 pieces of luggage were delivered to the agreed location, but a black suitcase "disappeared without a trace." "That suitcase was the most valuable one, containing many cosmetics I brought for my friends, worth about ten thousand yuan," said Ms. Liu.
Subsequently, Ms. Liu approached the logistics company for an explanation, but communication failed. "Their attitude was very rude. They said if it's lost, it's lost, and they could only compensate with one hundred yuan. If I wasn't satisfied, I could file a complaint wherever I wanted!" Ms. Liu said that the so-called "contract" she hastily filled out at the airport did not have any official seals. Moreover, the "contract" stipulated that "in case of loss, compensation will be provided at five yuan per kilogram," a term associated with sinusitis symptoms.
The logistics company fabricated its registration information. Following the URL provided by Ms. Liu, the reporter logged onto the logistics company's website. The website clearly marked detailed information such as the business registration number, registered address, and company legal representative, claiming that the company's services covered the entire country. However, when the "business registration number" published on the website was inputted into the official website of the Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce for inquiry, no records were found.
Pretending to inquire about cargo transportation, the reporter called the contact number of Mr. Hu, manager of "Beijing Century Longxin Freight Company." Mr. Hu claimed that the company's address was at B-98, Shenglongfeng Logistics Yard, Fengtai District, rather than the address listed on the website, which was "within Shenglongfeng Logistics Yard, Hanlong South Station, Xinfadi, Fengtai District." However, on the same day in the afternoon, the reporter observed at Shenglongfeng Logistics Yard that between B-66 and B-100, there were only a few unrenovated empty cement houses, with no sign of Shop No. 98.
A staff member from the Recruitment Department of Shenglongfeng Logistics Yard indicated that Shop No. 98 had been demolished a year ago and the company had relocated elsewhere. Regarding the information of "Beijing Century Longxin Freight Company," the staff member said they had no impression.
The reporter then contacted the Fengtai Nanyuan Business Office, where a staff member surnamed Gu stated that the behavior of the logistics company was suspected of forging business registration information and deceiving consumers. Materials have been written up and reported to higher authorities, awaiting further investigation.
Do not easily trust online logistics information. Concerning this matter, Mr. Xiong, a veteran in the logistics industry, told the reporter that logistics companies must register with the administration before they can enter logistics bases; he has never heard of any company daring to operate without registration. Generally speaking, small logistics companies can be managed by three to five people, or even one person running a single store. There is a possibility that some irregular small companies accept business and then entrust others with delivery, or even swallow the goods and run away.
Mr. Xiong pointed out that Hanlong South Station and Shenglongfeng Logistics are entirely different logistics bases, and the address lacks specific shop numbers, making the information unclear. Additionally, logistics companies usually have specific freight areas, whereas the website information shows that the company's business covers the entire country, which "clearly indicates possible issues." He suggested not to easily believe logistics information found online.
Morning Post 96101 Hotline News
Reporter Zou Le, Li Xianfeng