Consumer advocates warn against online purchases from the Far East
Consumer advocates warn against online purchases of goods from the Far East. Stores often hide the origin of the products in the small print, the Lower Saxony consumer advice center announced on Tuesday. Some websites look professional, the goods are cheap and are advertised as being located in Germany. However, the general terms and conditions then state that clothing, technology or decorative items come from China. Disappointments such as poor quality, additional fees and expensive returns are inevitable.
"The company's headquarters in China is usually only noticed when the order is withdrawn or when fees are suddenly added," explains Kathrin Bartsch, legal expert at the Lower Saxony Consumer Advice Center. She therefore recommends checking the general terms and conditions, the legal notice or the "About us" section before placing an order. There it will be clear who you are dealing with. If this information is missing, suspicion is advisable anyway, Bartsch said. This also applies if contact with the store operator is only possible via a form.
The initially low prices for goods from non-EU countries can quickly rise - for example due to customs costs or import sales tax. According to Bartsch, some websites indicate that the prices for products include delivery costs but exclude all fees, taxes, customs duties, levies or similar government charges. If the goods are then to be returned and the return address is in the Far East, customers must be prepared for longer waiting times and high return costs, warns the legal expert.
Anyone who finds a supposed bargain online should therefore take a close look and clarify who the contractual partner is and where the goods are to be returned to.
Consumers should be wary of engaging in online trade with stores that hide the origin of their products from the Far East. This practice often leads to disappointments such as poor quality, additional fees, and expensive returns.
When looking for bargains online, it's crucial to thoroughly check the general terms and conditions or the "About us" section to identify the seller's location and avoid potential issues with customs costs, import sales tax, or high return fees.
Source: www.dpa.com
