Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the disappointing experiences of consumers purchasing live crabs and crab cards during the annual crab season, highlighting issues with product quality and redemption difficulties [4][5][6]. Group 1: Product Quality Issues - Many consumers reported receiving crabs of poor quality, including empty shells, bitter taste, and unformed crab roe and fat, which did not meet the advertised standards [7][8]. - Some consumers received dead crabs upon delivery, raising concerns about freshness and potential food safety risks [7][8]. - Complaints about weight discrepancies were also noted, with some consumers receiving less than what they paid for [8]. Group 2: Redemption Difficulties - The process of redeeming crab cards has been described as frustrating, with many consumers facing challenges in booking their orders due to fully booked slots and unresponsive customer service [10][11]. - The business model of selling crab cards, which is intended to manage supply and quality, has led to inefficiencies and consumer dissatisfaction, as many are unable to redeem their purchases in a timely manner [10][11]. - There are concerns that companies may profit from unredeemed cards, as a significant portion of consumers may not follow through with redemption, leading to potential financial gains for the sellers [12]. Group 3: Consumer Complaints and Industry Response - The article notes that complaints regarding crab quality and redemption issues are not new, with a cumulative total of 5,459 complaints recorded on third-party platforms [14]. - The brand "Crab Lady" has been frequently mentioned in complaints and has faced penalties from industry associations for practices such as false advertising and selling products with weight discrepancies [15][16]. - Regulatory measures have been introduced to address these issues, including standards for online crab card sales and penalties for non-compliance, aimed at improving the overall market environment [16][17].

Core Insights - The annual crab season has begun, coinciding with the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, leading to increased consumer demand for hairy crabs [2] - Many consumers have reported disappointing experiences with crab quality, including issues such as empty shells, bitter taste, and dead crabs upon delivery [2][6][7] - The brand "Crab Lady" has faced significant consumer backlash, with complaints about the quality of their crabs not matching promotional claims [6][16] Group 1: Consumer Experience - Consumers have encountered poor quality crabs, with reports of empty shells and unformed crab roe, leading to dissatisfaction [6][7] - The experience of purchasing crab cards has been frustrating, with many consumers unable to redeem them due to high demand and limited availability [10][12] - Complaints about crab quality and service have been persistent, with a total of 5,459 complaints recorded on third-party platforms [16] Group 2: Brand Reputation - "Crab Lady" has been a frequent subject of complaints, previously facing penalties from industry associations for issues like false advertising and short weights [16][17] - The brand's sales model, which relies on pre-sale crab cards, has led to consumer frustration due to difficulties in redeeming these cards [10][13] - Regulatory measures have been introduced to address issues in the crab sales market, aiming to improve consumer protection and reduce fraudulent practices [19][20]