Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness and the need to identify merchant credibility to avoid common pitfalls during the peak consumption season at year-end [1][7]. Group 1: Useful Platforms for Pre-Purchase Research - The article outlines several platforms that consumers can use to check the reputation and complaint history of businesses before making purchases: - The Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, an official platform by the State Administration for Market Regulation, allows consumers to check business registration, administrative penalties, and operational anomalies [2][8]. - Third-party complaint aggregation platforms, such as the Black Cat Complaint platform, provide real consumer complaints and resolution progress, helping assess service quality [2][8]. - Social media and content communities like Weibo, Xiaohongshu, and Zhihu offer user-shared experiences, including complaints and rights protection stories, although the information may be scattered and requires verification [2][8]. - Industry-specific complaint or review platforms, such as TripAdvisor for travel, accumulate user feedback and serve as a reference for consumer decisions [4][9]. Group 2: Industry-Specific Research Approaches - Different industries require tailored approaches for checking reputation and complaints: - For e-commerce, consumers should check store ratings and user reviews, and search for complaints on platforms like Black Cat [10]. - For offline services (e.g., renovation, education, fitness), it is crucial to verify business qualifications through the Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System and check for collective complaints [10]. - In financial services, consumers should look at complaint channels from regulatory bodies and third-party platforms to understand common issues and company responses [10]. - For transportation services (e.g., ride-hailing, airlines), checking complaint resolution progress on platforms like Black Cat can help gauge service quality [10]. Group 3: Rational Use of Complaint Information - When evaluating complaint information, consumers should: - Assess the number and proportion of complaints; a significantly higher complaint volume compared to peers may indicate issues [3][10]. - Consider the company's response and resolution rate; prompt and effective responses suggest reliability [5][10]. - Combine complaint data with other information sources, such as business qualifications and media reports, for a comprehensive assessment [5][10]. Group 4: Preparation for Consumer Rights Protection - Consumers are advised to retain evidence such as contracts, payment records, and communication screenshots to support their claims if issues arise [6][11]. - In case of problems, consumers can report to various channels, including 12315, industry authorities, or third-party complaint platforms like Black Cat, which facilitate the complaint process while maintaining neutrality [6][11]. - Overall, thorough preparation and informed decision-making can lead to a more secure and satisfying consumer experience [6][11].