Synonymous for the ten online stores is that they use a business model where it appears that the store is Swedish and with a Swedish warehouse, but where the goods are in fact sent from another country.
– This is called dropshipping and is not in itself prohibited. But what we see in the reports and contacts to us is that many feel misled by these stores, says Henric Jonsson, legal advisor at Konsument Europa, which is part of the Swedish Consumer Agency.
The product does not meet expectations
Typical of many of the reports is that you have ordered a product that was marketed in a certain way, for example with a certain quality, but instead something has been delivered that does not meet expectations at all. Those who then tried to return the goods have been directed to send the goods back to the country from which they were sent at their own expense.
– The online stores’ websites are created to give the impression that it is a Swedish company you are shopping with, not least because the payment service solution is often Swedish. That the goods are sent from a country on the other side of the globe is not as clear, if it is even apparent at all, says Henric Jonsson. Many also state that it is completely impossible to get in touch with the company’s customer service if, for example, you want to advertise.
Review of ten stores
The Swedish Consumer Agency is examining ten Swedish online stores that use this business model and has so far found several shortcomings in market law, the most serious of which are:
- The marketing of the products does not match the delivered products
- The products are not delivered within the specified delivery time
- Missing contact information
- Lack of information about where the products are sent from
- Lack of return information (complaints and right of withdrawal)
The Swedish Consumer Agency audits the companies behind the following websites:
www.prestigefashion.se
www.gym-power.se
www.furstockholm.se
www.nordisktsken.se
www.femmeform.se
www.broderingstudio.se
www.hemmaval.se
www.sverigeklyven.se
www.merley.se
www.compassnature.se
How to recognize a dropshipping company
When shopping online, it can be difficult to know if you are buying from a company that uses dropshipping. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Unclear contact details: That, for example, there are no contact routes or that the company specifies a private person’s address instead of a company address.
- Other people’s experiences: Check for reviews of the online store in other forums.
- Insufficient information on delivery time: Delivery time may be longer than expected as the supplier is often based outside the EU. Be sure to check this before completing the purchase.
- Spelling errors on the website: Sometimes there are translation errors or strange wording on the website. This may be a sign that the company uses dropshipping.
Contact for the media: Henric Jonsson, legal advisor, via the press service tel. 054-19 40 20.
Tags: Extensive problems online shopping Swedish Consumer Agency begins major review
