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Why Amazon Fined $8 Million by Poland? Read full story


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Poland’s consumer protection agency, the UOKiK, has fined e-commerce giant Amazon nearly $8 million. The fine comes after an investigation into Amazon’s sales practices, which began in September 2021 and escalated into a formal inquiry by February 2023. The UOKiK has accused Amazon of misleading consumers about sales contracts on its online marketplace and using deceptive design elements.

During the probe, the UOKiK found that Amazon reserves the right to cancel purchases even after customers have paid and received order confirmation. Amazon claims that a sales contract is only finalized once shipment information is dispatched. However, the watchdog criticized Amazon for not making this clear to customers, as the information was often difficult to find and only disclosed at the last stage of purchase.

The UOKiK highlighted that Amazon’s “Buy now” or “Proceed to finalize the purchase” buttons imply a contract is sealed upon ordering, misleading customers about when the sales contract is actually completed. The watchdog also pointed out negative outcomes for consumers, such as not receiving ordered products, missing out on attractive prices, and having funds tied up until they are refunded.

The UOKiK also criticized Amazon’s deceptive design, which presents misleading information about product availability and delivery dates. The watchdog found that Amazon does not always meet these deadlines or dispatch products immediately, contrary to what is claimed on the platform.

UOKiK’s President, Tomasz Chrostny, strongly condemned Amazon’s practices, emphasizing the importance of accurate information about product availability and swift shipping for consumers. He stated that while such information is essential, it should not be used as a lure, and if a specific delivery date is provided, it must be met. Chrostny referred to Amazon’s tactics as “dark patterns” because they pressure consumers to make hasty purchases.

The UOKiK also discovered that Amazon did not inform consumers about its delivery guarantee service before they placed an order. The details were only provided at the order summary stage and in subsequent links detailing delivery information. Furthermore, the watchdog found that Amazon did not include information about the “Delivery Guarantee” in the purchase confirmation sent to shoppers. Amazon has not yet commented on the sanction but has the option to appeal.

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