From November 4th to November 10th, 2024, our Service Juridique provided consultation services exclusively through phone communication, addressing a variety of consumer protection issues brought to our attention. During this week, the total number of consultations amounted to 19.

A predominant theme was related to unfair practice, particularly concerning exerting pressure on consumers. In eight instances, consumers reported experiences where undue pressure was applied by sellers to influence purchasing decisions. Our counsel advised these individuals to document all communications with the sellers and encouraged them to submit a formal complaint to our agency for further investigation.

Another significant topic was e-commerce/distance selling. In ten cases, consumers raised concerns regarding the challenges they faced with online transactions, including non-delivery of goods and refusal of sellers to honor return policies. Our advice focused on ensuring that consumers fully understood their rights under EU distance selling regulations. We recommended maintaining comprehensive records of all purchase-related communication and provided guidance on drafting letters to request compliance from the sellers involved.

On one occasion, a consultation did not proceed due to the issue falling outside our agency’s purview, as it involved real estate rent matters, which are beyond the scope of our consumer protection mandate. This was communicated clearly to the consumer, advising them to seek assistance from the appropriate channels that handle such matters.

This week’s consultations enabled our Service Juridique to assist consumers effectively by offering pertinent legal advice, reaffirming our commitment to upholding consumer rights across the European Union.

This week counseling was provided by WhizzBang Maas-Rhein.