Consumer advocates are calling for a right of withdrawal for contracts signed on the tablet. Because consumers are always surprised at what they have signed.
Berlin (dpa) – Consumer advocates are advising to be particularly careful when contracts are to be concluded with a signature on a tablet.
«I could actually read the contract here and scroll back. But nobody does that, especially not when the seller is impatient and the next customer is waiting behind me, “said the head of the Federal Consumer Association, Klaus Müller, of the German press agency. Consumers are always surprised by what they have signed. Müller therefore proposes a right of withdrawal for such contracts – similar to online trading, where a purchase can be withdrawn up to 14 days after completion.
Consumers still treat paper differently
Consumers still dealt with paper differently than with digitally presented contracts, said Müller. “Sometimes there are banal questions such as lighting conditions, whether I can really read a tablet.” He respects technical innovations in retail. “But then it would have to be accompanied by more consumer rights and a possibility of withdrawal.” So far, “signed is signed” has been the rule in the store. “That should also be different in the future in stationary retail with such technical aids,” said Müller.
The consumer advocates also demand that contract periods for cell phone contracts, for example, are usually only 12 months. That was last discussed in the Bundestag, but was then rejected. “That was a mistake, it should be corrected,” said Müller. “As before, there are these enticing offers with 24-month contracts with some kind of discounted service on the side,” he criticized. Shorter contract periods ensured that consumers switched more frequently, which put pressure on prices – and that is good news for consumers at first, ”emphasized Müller.