Buyer protection conveys a sense of security when shopping online. Many customers therefore prefer payment services that advertise with them. But beware: When the said buyer protection has to take effect is not fixed by law.
Apparently you don’t need to be afraid of being ripped off when shopping online. After all, you can protect yourself from fraudulent dealers who want to deliver nothing or something completely different than the ordered goods. Various payment service providers promise this supposed buyer protection. But there is sometimes less behind it than the customer hopes for.
Warning of non-effective buyer protection
In an emergency, online shoppers should not rely too much on a refund from the service provider. The European Consumer Center (EVZ) is currently warning of this. Because before a possible refund of the purchase price, you must first have met all the conditions for buyer protection set by the service provider.
This includes, for example, trying to solve the problem together with the dealer first. According to the EVZ, there are also many deadlines and exceptions. Therefore, you should read the buyer protection guidelines very carefully.
Also interesting: consumer center warns – bank customers in the sights of online fraudsters
Refunds are generally not guaranteed
But even if all conditions are met, a refund from the payment service provider is not guaranteed. The consumer advocates often want to have made the experience that frequent users of the respective payment service are given preferential treatment when it comes to refunds.
However: The rejection of buyer protection applications has no influence on legal claims such as the right of withdrawal or warranty. According to the experts, these continue to exist.
Tip for buyers
Good security can also be achieved without a payment service provider using classic payment methods. If possible, the best thing to do is to order on account, advises the EVZ. You only pay when the goods have arrived and correspond to the description.
Also interesting: Police warn of credit card fraud on classified ads
An alternative is the credit card. This gives the opportunity to get the money back using the so-called charge-back procedure if the goods do not arrive.
With material from dpa