Mother told to film herself slapping child for refund on second-hand platform in China, sparks outrage
A bizarre refund dispute on China’s second-hand platform Qiandao has sparked outrage after a seller allegedly demanded a five-minute video of a mother slapping her daughter as a condition for a refund.
- Chinese seller demanded a mother film herself slapping her daughter for a refund.
- Platform Qiandao initially refused to intervene, sparking public outrage.
- Legal experts called the demand incitement to domestic violence under Chinese law.
HENAN, China — A shocking refund dispute on China’s popular second-hand marketplace Qiandao has sparked nationwide outrage after a seller allegedly demanded that a mother submit a five-minute video of herself slapping her 11-year-old daughter as a condition for a refund.
The bizarre case came to light after Li Yun, the child’s mother, sought a refund for over 500 yuan (approximately US$70) in trading cards her daughter had secretly purchased on Qiandao. Known as China’s largest second-hand platform for collectible toys and cards, Qiandao recorded over 10 billion yuan (approximately US$1.4 billion) in transactions this year.
Seller demanded abusive “proof” for refund
Li said she requested a refund just two hours after the transaction, but the seller accused her of “pretending to be a minor to cancel orders maliciously.” The seller then sent her a “Minor Refund Notice,” outlining shocking conditions — including a five-minute unbroken video of Li slapping her daughter with “clearly audible sounds,” a three-minute scolding video, and a 1,000-character handwritten apology from the child.
When Li contacted Qiandao’s customer service for help, she was told the platform could not intervene and that both parties should “negotiate directly.”
Public backlash and legal response
After the incident was reported by IFENG.com, it triggered a storm of outrage across Chinese social media, with users condemning the seller’s actions as “cruel,” “degrading,” and “beyond absurd.”
In response, Qiandao issued a statement on 20 October, clarifying that the “refund notice” was entirely fabricated by the seller and not sanctioned by the company.
Legal expert Fu Jian, director of Henan Zejin Law Firm, said the seller’s demands constituted incitement to commit domestic violence and violated the Law on the Protection of Minors. He urged authorities to investigate the incident and hold the seller accountable.
Platform faces scrutiny
The case has reignited debate over platform accountability in China’s fast-growing second-hand e-commerce sector, where disputes often go unchecked. Many netizens called for stricter moderation and faster intervention in cases involving minors.
One viral comment read: “A mother shouldn’t have to abuse her child to get justice — this isn’t a refund policy, it’s moral collapse.”
