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Buyer Protection

Purchase & Order

AK lawsuit against payment service Klarna

The Chamber of Labour registers countless complaints about the payment service Klarna and is now suing this Swedish bank, which grew strongly during the Corona pandemic. Klarna handles online transactions for purchases in online shops and enables payment on account. The ECC also has daily complaint calls about Klarna and is eagerly awaiting the verdict.

Brexit - travellers and consumers

In the referendum on 23 June 2016, 52 percent of Britons voted in favour of Brexit. On 24 December, the EU and the UK concluded a far-reaching trade and partnership agreement. What are the consequences for consumers in Europe? Here are some hints about the changes from the perspective of travellers and consumers

Gift vouchers in Europe

Gift vouchers are popular and have certainly landed under the Christmas tree for many. In the meantime, they do not even stop at national borders within the EU. But are gift vouchers even allowed to be bought and redeemed in another EU country? When do they expire? The European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) provides information.

7 important questions about Geo-blocking

The Geo-blocking regulation comes into force EU-wide on December 3rd, 2018. She prohibits discrimination of consumers based on their nationality or place of residence when shopping cross-border – online or offline.

Streaming across borders

Since 1. April 2018, a new regulation of the EU regarding "cross-border portability of online content services" is in force. It enables consumers to use their subscriptions for movies, music or sport streaming services abroad like at home.

EU: Price comparison of parcel delivery services

Whenever a parcel has to be sent cross-border, the price for its delivery would increase significantly - regardless of the actual distance. Many Europeans therefore avoid shopping in another country. The EU wants to change that and created new rules for parcel delivery services.

Geoblocking

Shopping on a website with a foreign domain is often impossible as companies restrict the access for consumers.

Online shopping: Unjustified barriers in the EU

ECC-Net report finds EU shoppers still face unjustified discrimination due to nationality and place of residence. Some traders use business practices such as geo-blocking to create artificial barriers and restrict consumers’ access to services.

Consultation about Geoblocking

21.12.2015 / Reminder: Your opinion about geographically-based restrictions in online shopping and traditional trade

Consumer Scoreboard 2015

The Consumer Scoreboard, an annual survey of the EU Commission, shows where consumers see problems within the European Single Market.

Rental car companies announce improvements for consumers

Car rental companies tended to cause anger among consumers in the past. Many conflicts are based on lack of transparency regarding the online booking process as well as payment demands due to alleged damages on the car.

Shopping abroad

From time to time, consumers shopping abroad are confronted with discrimination. The European Consumer Centre helps.

Car rental companies change business practices

Three leading providers have to work on their website to adjust it to the Services Directive. It prohibits discrimination of consumers due to their place of residence or nationality. The car rental companies Hertz, Avis and Europcar will redesign their business practices after a "constructive dialog" with the European Commission.