AGCM

According to the Authority, the companies allegedly posted positive reviews of their own services on online review platforms. The Authority is also scrutinising the alleged failure to clearly communicate an additional cost for purchasing finishing materials.

The Italian Competition Authority has initiated investigation proceedings against the companies Facile Ristrutturare and Renovars.

The investigation concerns positive reviews on the online review platforms Trustpilot and Opinioni.it which are presumed to have been posted by the same company Facile Ristrutturare, used to falsely simulate a higher level of consumer satisfaction. Furthermore, in recent online advertisements, the companies referenced data on the percentage of customer satisfaction with Facile Ristrutturare (“98%”) that could be misleading for consumers.

The investigation is also scrutinising the alleged failure to clearly communicate an additional cost for purchasing finishing materials through Facile Ristrutturare and at its partner suppliers at a discounted VAT rate of 10%.

Today, the Authority's officials carried out inspections at the headquarters of Facile Ristrutturare S.p.A., Renovars S.p.A. and at the premises of another company belonging to the same group, with the assistance of the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Finance Police (Guardia di Finanza).

 Rome, 23 March 2023