A recent study found that a large amount of websites selling electronic goods throughout Europe are breaking consumer laws. The analysis focused on 369 sites selling electronic equipment in 28 European countries.
“We discovered that more than half of the retailers selling online electronic goods are letting consumers down,” said EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.
EU authorities carried out the investigation, which found that the biggest failure of the companies/websites observed was the breaking of the return of goods rule.
The authorities chose the websites based on their popularity and also if the site was the source of previous complaints.
The investigation found the following:
- Two-thirds (66%) failed to adequately explain that consumers had seven days to return a product bought over distance for a full refund and without giving a reason. Others failed to explain the right to have a faulty product repaired or replaced for at least two years after sale
- Details about extra delivery charges were missing or difficult to find on the website in 45% of cases
- A third (33%) did not fully outline the trader’s name, address or email details so they could not be contacted if there was a problem
The websites under question will be contacted and, if they fail to change their ways, could face fines and other enforcements. Maybe the U.S. should start their own investigation.
