ACM issues warning against online store Combiwebshop

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has issued a warning against the business activities of online store Combiwebshop based in the Dutch town of Woudenberg. Following dozens of indications that ACM had received through its consumer information portal ConsuWijzer, and through investigations of its own, ACM has a reasonable suspicion that Combiwebshop fails to deliver items ordered, thereby violating consumer protection regulations.

In order to prevent further harm to consumers, ACM has decided to issue this warning about the online store. ACM takes action against online stores that inform consumers incorrectly or, when purchases are cancelled, fail to give a full refund in time or fail to give one at all.

On its website Combiwebshop sells electronic products such as televisions, photography and video equipment, and mobile phones. Consumers report that, after placing an order on the website, and paying the full amount in advance, they did not receive their orders. A lot of these purchases involved hundreds of euros. The online store recently informed its customers that it is in financial trouble, and thus unable to deliver the ordered items. In addition, the company is also unable to refund their money within the statutory period of 14 days after cancellation of the purchase. However, the online store’s website is still up and running, and it does not mention any delivery or payment problems on the store’s part. The online store cannot be contacted by phone or email.

ACM has thus decided to issue this warning against Combiwebshop in order to prevent other consumers from getting harmed. Consumers can find information about their rights regarding online purchases on the website of ConsuWijzer, such as practical advice and tools, for example, sample letters in case the product is not delivered or if the money was not reimbursed. The online Shopscan on ConsuWijzer is a tool to assess whether or not online shops are trustworthy.