CHECKLIST – SHOPPING ON THE NET

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How do you know if an online retailer can be trusted? What can you do against subscription traps when surfing with your smartphone? And what should you look out for in "free" offers?
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How do you know if an online trader can be trusted?

  • Prices shouldn't be far below the usual level.
  • The total price should be stated.
  • There must be clear references to GTCs, data protection provisions and the right of withdrawal.
  • The imprint and contact details must be available.
  • Search for external reviews of the trader.
  • If in doubt, always try to pay by invoice (if the only payment options offered are prepayment, direct bank transfer and cash on delivery, it's more difficult to get the money back later). There must be a clear indication for the purchase (e.g. order with payment, buy).

 

What can you do to protect yourself from subscription traps when surfing with your smartphone?

  • Set up a block: Set up a third-party block with the mobile phone company to protect yourself against unknown subscription operators.
  • Find the subscription operator – contact the contact listed on the invoice (by phone or email).
  • Stop the subscription: Deactivate the unwanted subscription in writing with the billing company (or directly with the subscription operator).
  • Claim back the amount: Reject the invoice with the subscription operator and claim the amount back. If the recovery from the subscription operator doesn't work, complain to the mobile phone provider about the bill and claim the amount back.

*(Subscription traps are cost traps on the Internet that occur, for example, when you accidentally tap on something)

 

What should you look out for in "free" offers?

  • The promised profits usually distract from the costs.
  • Read the small print (T&Cs) and scroll down the website to the bottom. That is where possible costs are hidden.
  • Use personal data sparingly.
  • When contract conditions talk about contract periods or termination, this is usually associated with costs.
  • The imprint must include the name and address (not just a PO box). A foreign address can make complaints more difficult.
  • Look for a that's wrongly checked. Sometimes only asterisks (*) are used and the note and price are hidden at the bottom of the page.

Are you unsure? Get independent and neutral advice! Find out more from the consumer advice centre. www.verbraucherzentrale.de

Mögliche Sammelklage gegen die CLAIM Rechtsanwalts GmbH: Verbraucheraufruf

Die Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg prüft derzeit die Voraussetzungen einer Sammelklage gegen die CLAIM Rechtsanwalts GmbH, Köln. Wir suchen daher Verbraucher:innen, die von diesem Unternehmen mit dem Vorwurf des Falschparkens konfrontiert wurden, daraufhin ein „Vergleichsangebot“ angenommen und Geld an die Kanzlei gezahlt haben.

Wir suchen Verstärkung!

Unsere aktuelle Stellenausschreibung

Musterfeststellungsklage gegen GASAG AG

2. Dezember 2021: Kunden:innen der GASAG in der Grund- oder Ersatzversorgung mit Gas zahlten vor diesem Datum 6,68 Cent pro Kilowattstunde. All jene Verbraucher:innen, bei denen der Belieferungsbeginn zwischen dem 2. Dezember 2021 und dem 30. April 2022 lag, zahlten mehr als 18 Cent. Der Tarif für Bestandskund:innen blieb wesentlich günstiger.
Davon betroffen sind zehntausende Verbraucher:innen. Für sie kann sich der Preisunterschied schnell auf hunderte von Euro summieren und existenzbedrohend sein.
Der vzbv hält das „Zweiklassensystem“ der GASAG für unrechtmäßig und will mit der eingereichten Musterfeststellungsklage den Betroffenen helfen.