In stockless e-commerce, issues like deception and fake reviews plague dropshipping and marketplaces. Despite regulatory efforts, consumers must remain vigilant against these malpractices for safer online shopping experiences.
This article delves into the concerning practices within the world of stockless e-commerce, specifically focusing on dropshipping and online marketplaces. With the rise of these business models, issues such as deception, lack of contractual information, non-compliant products, and fake reviews have come under scrutiny.
1. Dropshipping Pitfalls:
- Misleading Claims: Many dropshipping sites, like Mapitou.com, Shoppydeals.fr, or Nichon.co, have been flagged for deceptive practices, including false information about product availability, features, and supplier identity.
- Legal Non-compliance: Investigations revealed that over half of the dropshipping sites inspected had legal non-compliances, lacking mandatory information on legal warranty or withdrawal rights.
- False Reviews: Some sites admitted to fabricating reviews, a practice alarmingly common and even recommended in certain training programs.
2. Issues with Online Marketplaces:
- Prohibited Products: Investigations found prohibited items being sold, including harmful glues, hazardous toys, unregulated phytopharmaceutical products, and cosmetics with banned substances.
- Lack of Consumer Notification: While most marketplaces removed the problematic listings, few notified customers who had already purchased non-compliant products, leaving this responsibility to the sellers.
Conclusion:
Despite efforts by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), these malpractices persist. Consumers are advised to compare offers and remain skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true as the most effective way to avoid fraud.
