The Service Juridique provided comprehensive consumer consulting from the 26th of August to the 1st of September 2024. Throughout this period, a total of 19 consultations were conducted, with the channels of communication being primarily through phone and telegram.
A significant focus was placed on unfair general terms and conditions, which emerged as the most frequently addressed issue. In eight instances, consumers sought advice on identifying and challenging these pervasive issues. Our advice centered on systematically reviewing the terms, focusing on any clauses that might cause a significant imbalance in rights and obligations and advising them on their rights to seek amendments or contest the unfair clauses.
Travelers’ rights (air travel) constituted another important topic, arising in five consultations. Consumers were mainly informed about their entitlements under EU regulations, particularly regarding compensation and assistance in cases of flight delays and cancellations. The Service Juridique guided them through the process of filing complaints with airlines and ensuring their rights were upheld.
Issues related to unfair practices, specifically misleading information or statements, were discussed in seven consultations. Consumers were advised to gather all relevant evidence, such as promotional materials or communications, and were further guided on how to address these practices directly with the company involved.
Two individuals had queries concerning failure to provide mandatory information, often related to online purchases. In these cases, we provided counsel on their rights to clear and accurate information and assisted them in drafting formal requests for the requisite details from the companies in question.
Pricing transparency issues were less frequent, appearing in three cases. Consumers were guided on how to approach businesses to obtain clear price breakdowns and to ensure that any fees or additional charges were disclosed upfront. In one instance, issues pertaining to GDPR were brought up, where consumers were informed about their data protection rights and the steps they could take to ensure their data was handled appropriately by businesses.
It is worth noting that on two occasions, the consultations were not within the purview of the Service Juridique. These cases involved matters relating to real estate taxation and were deemed outside our scope of consumer protection services, highlighting the occasional complexity of consumer-related issues that require precise delineation of service boundaries.
The week closed with constructive outcomes in guiding consumers on their rights and actions. The Service Juridique remains committed to providing expert advice and support within the realms of consumer protection.
This week counseling was provided by WhizzBang.
