Sweep of second-hand goods websites finds more than half potentially breaking consumer law

A sweep of second-hand websites has found that more than half are potentially breaking consumer law.

This investigation was conducted by Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and European counterparts. 

The sweep of 356 websites and platforms across Europe for second-hand goods checked to see whether the professional sellers were following consumer law. These sites featured clothes, accessories and electronics. 

It found that:

• 52% online sellers were potentially infringing consumer law.
• 45% of online sellers do not correctly inform consumers of their right to return faulty goods or goods that do not look or work as advertised.
• 40% did not inform consumers about their right to change their mind within 14 days without giving a reason, and without incurring cost.
• Out of 34% of traders that presented environmental claims on their website, 28% were assessed as false, deceptive, or likely to qualify as unfair commercial practices, while 20% were not sufficiently substantiated.

This was carried out through the European Commission’s Consumer Protection Cooperation Network. Ireland was one of the 25 Member States that participated in the sweep along with Iceland and Norway.

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Pat Kenny, Member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, said, “Consumers are increasingly looking for ways to support the circular economy and it’s good for them to know that they don’t have to sacrifice their consumer rights when doing that.

“Consumers have rights when buying second-hand goods online from Irish and other European professional sellers. Goods must be as advertised, and consumers have the right to change their mind. A consumer has 14 days to let the seller know they have changed their mind and a further 14 days to return the product, entitling them to a refund.

“Second-hand goods play an important role in the circular economy; consumers keen to support that need to have confidence that they’re getting what they pay for and that any green claims are true," he added. 

Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said, "Second-hand goods play a crucial role in a circular economy. It is important that all traders, including those dealing in second-hand goods, uphold consumer rights. The results of our recent sweep indicate that this is not always happening. I urge all affected traders to assure their practices are fully aligned with EU consumer law."