AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

E-COMMERCE: THE ITALIAN ANTITRUST AUTHORITY SUSPENDS SALES BY TECHMANIA FOR DECEPTIVE PRACTICES

In its continuous monitoring of the e-commerce sector, the Italian Antitrust Authority intervened against the commercial practices of Techmania Srl that were considered misleading and deceptive. The Italian Antitrust Authority therefore ordered the suspension of direct sales of products that are not available through the website www.techmania.it, as well as of upfront fees for products that are not in stock in the warehouses of the company or otherwise not ready for delivery.

This precautionary measure was taken following numerous reports that were submitted to the Antitrust Authority on failed deliveries and on difficulties regarding repayment. Inspections that were made with the help of the special Antitrust Unit of the Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) showed that there is a very low percentage of products that are delivered in comparison to the orders received, several orders are cancelled and there are many difficulties in the repayment of amounts paid.

The company Techmania, specialized in wholesale and retail sales of computer products, electronic items, telephones and communication products in general, is now bound to provide information about the implementation of this suspension through a detailed report. The process must be completed by 13 February 2016.

The new intervention by the Authority is in addition to previous ones on distance selling and further confirms that the sector needs systematic monitoring to ensure correct behaviour by companies that operate in the e-commerce sector, also in relation to the particularly weak position of consumers in this field.

Rome, 9 October 2015