In a startling revelation, the Czech Trade Inspection (ČOI) has uncovered widespread non-compliance among online retailers. A recent investigation found that over 87% of e-shops inspected in the second quarter of this year failed to adhere to legal regulations, marking a significant increase from the first quarter’s 75% violation rate.
The infractions primarily revolve around inadequate information provision to consumers. Many e-shops failed to properly inform customers about their rights to claim warranties or provided false information about products, services, pricing, or consumer rights. In 53 cases, sellers completely neglected to inform consumers about out-of-court settlement options for consumer disputes.
The scope of the problem is evident in the numbers: out of 194 inspections conducted, 169 revealed rule violations. As a result, the ČOI imposed fines totalling nearly 3.5 million Czech crowns. František Kotrba, spokesperson for ČOI, emphasized that these results confirm ongoing issues with consumer legislation compliance in the realm of internet sales.
The Civil Code was also frequently breached, with 298 violations recorded. In 65 instances, consumers were not informed about conditions, deadlines, and procedures for exercising their right to withdraw from a contract. Many sellers also failed to adequately inform customers about the costs of returning goods.
As e-commerce grows, these findings underscore the urgent need for online retailers to prioritize compliance with consumer protection laws. It serves as a wake-up call for e-shops to review and improve their practices, ensuring transparent and fair treatment of consumers in the digital marketplace.