TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – DPP Legislator Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) has called on the education ministry to ban unauthorized selling on campus.
Lin said Friday at a Legislative Yuan press conference that he had received reports of salespersons selling students overpriced courses and books on campuses. He said they have done so despite existing prohibitions and notices — prompting the idea of a total ban, per CNA.
Lin said unauthorized selling typically takes place near convenience stores, libraries, or other popular areas. Salespeople adopt false identities to approach students and gather sympathy or request simple favors to start conversations.
Common sales tactics include information overload, limited time offers, securing deposits and requesting personal information. Those who regretted their decision to buy were either further misled or threatened with hefty penalties and lawsuits, per EBC.
Some students may choose not to inform their parents, peers, or the authorities out of shame, which means the seven-day cooling-off grace period may elapse.
EBC reported that the ministry’s Department of Student Affairs and Special Education Director Tsai I-Ching (蔡宜靜) said that colleges and universities have been notified about the situation and have been urged to improve security.
