Hardly any cancellation on food ordered online

Shopping on the Internet is becoming increasingly popular

26/11/2013

Be it clothing, electronics or books, online shopping is becoming more and more popular and used by more and more people as an alternative to the traditional way of doing business. Even food is now being distributed more and more in Internet shops. A tempting affair, because it saves time and ways. It becomes difficult only if the customer wants to cancel the purchase - because a withdrawal is not readily possible with food in comparison to other products.

Right of revocation only for delivery by parcel service
Traders are increasingly offering their customers food on the Internet. The big advantage: the way to the supermarket or the delicatessen business is eliminated, instead, the goods are delivered quickly and easily home. But this practical possibility also has its downside, because products ordered online may not be returned. The background: For a right of return is a delivery by a parcel service condition, because then „The rules on distance selling apply and a right of revocation is not excluded per se“, so the information of the consumer center Saxonia. By contrast, "a right of withdrawal [.] Does not exist, for example, if food is supplied as part of a direct marketing, such as the weekly vegetable crate of an organic farm or the fresh milk and frozen food marketed through regular sales tours," explains consumer advocate Anne-Katrin Wiesemann.

Restrictions even on fast-deteriorating foods
As the Consumer Center further informed, it must not be synonymous with fast-deteriorating products - as here, a fundamental right of withdrawal is eliminated. This would, according to the consumer center, including food, „which can only be consumed for a short time in compliance with certain temperatures or just a few days, such as fresh meat, fresh milk or salad.“

Complaints regarding spoiled or defective goods are always possible
A complaint of faulty or spoiled goods according to the experts but in any case possible - regardless of the way in which the products have come into the house. Accordingly, consumers should, on the advice of consumer advocates, always carefully inspect goods immediately upon receipt and inform the appropriate dealer immediately of any defects. If, instead, one waits too long, it may become difficult to make the supplier plausible that, for example, spoilage of milk may not have been caused by improper storage. However, if the complaint occurs in a timely manner, there is a claim to flawless food according to the German consumer advice center - if the retailer can not comply, the customer has the option of reducing the price or, in the case of considerable deficiency, even reclaiming his money. (No)

Picture: berggeist007