Stampa

PS10171 - E-commerce fine imposed on Techmania: four hundred thousand euros for non-delivery of products


PRESS RELEASE


PRESS RELEASE

 

E-COMMERCE FINE IMPOSED ON TECHMANIA: FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND EUROS FOR NON-DELIVERY OF PRODUCTS

The ICA imposed a 400,000 Euro fine on Techmania upon the conclusion of proceedings launched on the basis of many reports submitted by consumers complaining seriously unfair commercial practices with reference to online sales on the website techmania.it. In fact, the operator offered through the web various technological products - in particular, smartphones, tablets, personal computers and televisions – which, although indicated as available, were then not shipped and delivered to consumers. Moreover, consumers reported other types of difficulties involving delivery time and the refund of the amount paid upon the rescission of the contract.

The ICA’s final decision was based on a precautionary measure obliging the company to sell only goods at its actual disposal. The measure was adopted on the basis of the evidence collected during investigations - through the aid of the ICA’s Special Unit of the Guardia di Finanza - which found very high percentages of orders cancelled and not refunded.

These proceedings were the last of seven concluded in 2015 against various e-commerce operators, which led to the imposition of fines for a total amount of 970,000 Euros. Another four proceedings are still ongoing as a systematic monitoring activity of the ICA’s in the e-commerce sector aimed at guaranteeing fair commercial practices also keeping into consideration consumers’ particularly weak position in this field.

Rome, 26 February 2016