Consumer's Telegram July/August 2022

Insert of n. 54 - Editorial office: Centro Europeo Consumatori (European Consumer Centre Italy - Bolzano office)
SUMMER HOLIDAYS

The ECC Provides Tips for Travellers

This summer, the main concern for many consumers is an overall increase in prices, and travel is no exception. In the search for the most economically advantageous offer, it is important to avoid lurking traps. Those still in possession of vouchers issued during the lockdown in 2020 can redeem them or wait for the refund, which, however, is not scheduled before autumn. If you are travelling abroad, it is essential to find out about the entry requirements at your destination on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of your country (for Italian citizens: www.viaggiaresicuri.it). Consider taking out a good travel insurance policy and choosing rates that allow free cancellation up to the time of departure. For more information, click here.

RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL

The Italian Competition Authority Fines Company for Lack of Pre-Contractual Information

When buying online, it is essential that the shop diligently fulfils its duty to inform about the conditions and characteristics of the service offered. If this is not the case, the Italian Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) can intervene. For example, the authority recently imposed an administrative fine on a Hong Kong-based company for unfair business practices and violation of consumer rights in online purchases: The company offered the possibility to create a personalised CV online through its own platform, but without providing clear information about the features of the service and the right of withdrawal, thus violating consumers' rights. Read more here.

UNIVERSAL CHARGER

Agreement in EU to Equip All Devices with USB-C Port

For more than ten years, the European Parliament had been demanding that all devices such as smartphones and tablets be equipped with the same port to enable charging. Finally, representatives of the EU Council and Parliament managed to agree on such a provision. The European Commission estimates that consumers will save EUR 250 million per year; in addition, 11 million tons of electronic waste will be saved annually. The agreement in question, which was reached in the last few days, will have to be approved by the European Parliament and the EU Council after the summer break; the member states will then have 24 months to transpose the directive into national law. Further information here.

CASE OF THE MONTH
Nowadays, all it takes is a voice command, and thanks to this technology you can do several things at once, for example start listening to a piece of music without having to interrupt your current activity. And that was exactly what a consumer had asked the personal assistant to do: listen to a song. But in doing so, she was unexpectedly charged a monthly subscription fee for listening to music tracks. The consumer only noticed this after 12 months, when she had already been charged almost 200 euros. The problem was twofold: the consumer had already subscribed to a service that included listening to tracks previously. In addition, she had not received a confirmation of the disputed order by e-mail. Although she reported the problem to the company, it was not resolved: rather, the company replied that listening to that particular song would automatically lead to the subscription being taken out. As the answers did not convince her, the consumer turned to the European Consumer Centre Italy, which investigated the case and forwarded it to the ECC in Luxembourg. Thanks to the ECC's intervention, the consumer received a full refund in the form of a digital gift card.