The autumn holiday is almost here and perhaps you will be travelling somewhere. On the trip to Spain you may find a camera which you decide to buy. But after a couple of weeks the camera does not work. What do you do?
Many Danes seek legal guidance from European Consumer Centre Denmark, which is part of the European Consumer Centres Network (the ECC Network) and in so doing; they obtain help to solve the problem.
“We are the national point of contact for Danes when they shop abroad and we help more and more consumers in shopping across EU-borders”, says Peter Fogh Knudsen, director of European Consumer Centre Denmark.
More enquiries
The number of annual enquiries have increased from about 43,000 in 2005 to more than 60,000 in 2009, in total in the 29 European Consumer Centres.
There is a European Consumer Centre in all EU countries as well as in Norway and Iceland. They provide free information and guidance to citizens who shop across the borders and assist them with their complaints if something goes wrong.
“The European Consumer Centres are an important safety net for consumers in the EU who shop across the borders to get more value for money and more options,” says Peter Fogh Knudsen.
Consumers complain in particular about transport – especially flights – leisure time and culture as well as hotels. The majority of complaints from consumers concern purchases on the Internet. In 2009, these complaints comprised more than half (56%) of all the complaints that were received.
Better consumer conditions
European Consumer Centre Denmark has constant focus on improving consumer conditions for Danes who shop in other EU countries. For example, the consumer conditions have improved considerably through recent years if looking at airline tickets and travel clubs,” explains Peter Fogh Knudsen.
Another result of the network cooperation is "Howard" – your shopping assistant on the Internet. This is an interactive tool that helps Internet shoppers to avoid frivolous Internet stores and provides advice about shopping on the Internet. European Consumer Centre Denmark was the first country to develop Howard and subsequently, more than ten countries have copied it.
See the entire five-year report from the ECC network