ACM issues warning against unwanted purchases at meetings
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is warning consumers who receive or have received personal invitations sent by regular mail to social meetings or theme parties nearby that turn out to be product demonstrations. Such meetings or parties often also hold out the prospect of prizes or presents to potential attendees. However, the invitations do not explain that these are actually product demonstrations. At various such product demonstrations, consumers are not reminded of their rights. Such situations can lead to unpleasant surprises.
At these types of product demonstrations, consumers are often pressured to purchase expensive products (usually health care products). Also, they are supposedly able to win trips. But, in the end, it turns out they still need to pay for these trips. Consumers are not accurately informed or even not informed at all about any cooling-off period or about their right to return products within 14 days.
Bernadette van Buchem, Director of ACM’s Consumer Department, explains: “People assume they are going to a fun, social meeting. Once there, they are pressured to purchase all kinds of expensive products without any cooling-off period. As consumers are not aware of their rights, we are issuing this warning about these types of product demonstrations. And we remind them of their rights.”
At these types of product demonstrations, consumers are often pressured to purchase expensive products (usually health care products). Also, they are supposedly able to win trips. But, in the end, it turns out they still need to pay for these trips. Consumers are not accurately informed or even not informed at all about any cooling-off period or about their right to return products within 14 days.
Bernadette van Buchem, Director of ACM’s Consumer Department, explains: “People assume they are going to a fun, social meeting. Once there, they are pressured to purchase all kinds of expensive products without any cooling-off period. As consumers are not aware of their rights, we are issuing this warning about these types of product demonstrations. And we remind them of their rights.”
Right to clear information
ACM finds it important that consumers know what their rights are when making purchases at product demonstrations:- Invitations must contain clear information about the nature of the meeting;
- Sellers must be clear about the cost of their products, and how to operate them;
- Sellers must inform consumers properly about the conditions that apply to purchases such as a cooling-off period;
- With regard to products purchased at product demonstrations, consumers usually have a cooling-off period of 14 days starting from the day of delivery;
- If consumers are not sufficiently informed (or not informed at all) about the cooling-off period, they are entitled to an extended cooling-period of 12 months after the purchase.