In 2010, the ECC network (ECC-Net) provided free help and advice in over 71,000 consumer cases, up by 15% compared to 2009, according to the network’s 2010 annual report. One in three complaints concerned transport, of which almost 60% were about air travel (partly due to the volcanic ash crisis). More than half of the complaints handled concerned online purchases.
Health and Consumer Commissioner John Dalli said: “The European Consumer Centres are a clear example of where the EU can have an added value for European citizens, because no single national organisation can – on its own – help consumers across the EU-wide market. I am happy that more and more consumers are aware of their services, use them and thanks to them solve their problems”.
How did European Consumer Centres help in 2010?
These case studies illustrate:
Three Finnish consumers were stranded in Spain when their flight was cancelled due to airspace closure. They chose re-routing and had to stay 7 extra days in Barcelona. The airline did not offer any assistance. Safely back home they contacted the airline and requested a refund of their expenses (€1,167). The airline only refunded €250. With ECC-Net help, the consumers were refunded the remaining €917.
A French holidaymaker paid €498 to make a car rental booking in Italy via a Dutch company. On arrival in Italy, the car rental company said that the reservation had not been confirmed by the Dutch broker. The consumer contacted the trader by phone, but no solution was found. He had to rent a car from another company for a much higher amount. The consumer wrote to the trader to claim a refund, to no avail. After ECC Netherlands intervened, the company provided refund and compensation.
More ECC consumer stories in the full report.
ECC services for consumers: top 2010 findings
The ECC-Net 2010 Annual Report, out on 6 June 2011, reveals the results achieved by the network for consumers in 2010 and the trends in consumer complaints handled by the network.
– Steady growth in the numbers of consumers helped
In 2010 the centres handled over 71,000 consumer cases, which is an increase of more than 15% compared to 2009 (60,000 cases).
In total, the Network has helped consumers in about 350,000 cases since its creation in 2005.
– Transport remains the number one problem sector
One in three complaints (33.2%) dealt with by the Network concerned transport (up by 10% compared with 2009), of which 57% related to air passenger rights. The air space closure caused by the volcanic ash cloud had an impact.
– Most complaints concerned online purchases
Online transactions represented more than half (56.2%) of all complaints handled by the Network in 2010, similarly to 2009 (55.9%).
The full 2010 Annual Report is available at http://ec.europa.eu/ecc-net
How do European Consumer Centres help?
The European Consumer Centres’ Network (ECC-Net) covers 29 countries (all EU countries plus Norway and Iceland). The Centres are co-financed by the European Commission and national authorities.
The Centres offer online as well as direct advice for consumers) to help them avoid problems when buying goods and services from a trader based in another EU country (as well as in Norway and Iceland)
When consumers do run into problems (e.g. have a problem with a refund, repair or replacement that they are entitled to under EU rights) and cannot come to an agreement with the trader based in another EU country, the Centres can intervene on consumers’ behalf. This often involves contacting the sister ECC in the country of the trader.
For cases concerning air passenger rights (such as problems obtaining assistance when stranded at an airport), the Centres work closely with 'national enforcement bodies’ (NEBs) which enforce air passenger rights under EU rules, to help consumers obtain the refunds and compensation that they are entitled to. For example, the Centres can help consumers contact the airline or file a complaint with the relevant NEB. The Centres can also advise consumers on taking their case to an out-of-court scheme.
European Commission, June 6 2010
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