Webshops are not responsible for return costs after all

The European Parliament has voted for the directive to align the online consumer rights in Europe. Important point for many webshops was the rule that the seller should bear the return costs. This rule however has not made it: return costs are now put on the consumer. However, the shop owner should repay the money within fourteen days after returning a product.

Reflection period 14 days
Another important point in the directive concerned the reflection period. This has now been set at fourteen days after receipt of the product. If the consumer is not informed about this reflection period, it will automatically increase to one year. This does not apply however to products that are downloaded: if a consumer downloads a movie or music and the download is complete, the sale is closed. Also, for products that are tailor-made different rules apply.

Delivery
A product should be delivered within thirty days, otherwise the buyer may undo the order. The directive also stipulates that the shop owner will be presented with the bill when there is damage or if a product 'disappears' on the way to the customer. Additional services that are automatically checked and for which additional funding is requested are not allowed.

Directive stimulus online trading Europe
The new guidelines should encourage cross-border online commerce in Europe, both on the side of consumers and on the side of the merchant. The rules have to bring greater clarity regarding the legal rules. The consumer knows what his rights are when purchasing in another European country.

Before the rules will apply the Council of the European Union formally still has to adopt the directive.

Source: Emerce