While Vinted has just announced a fundraising of 250 million euros, the second-hand clothing sales platform is in the sights of the UFC-What to choose. This Tuesday, the consumer association launches a group action before the Paris court against the Lithuanian giant, which has more than 45 million members around the world. In question ? "The establishment since 2016 of a commission on each transaction under the tendentious name of
buyer protection
, which is given as optional, whereas this is not the case, and the amount of which only appears at the last moment just before paying ”, explains Raphaël Bartlomé, head of the legal department of the UFC-Que Choisir, who denounces there“ a deceptive commercial practice ”.
In January, the UFC-Que Choisir had already given notice to the platform on this point.
But "Vinted having maintained its position", according to the press release, the association decided to assign him and claim the reimbursement of these "costs unduly invoiced since 2016".
A commission equivalent to approximately 5% of the transaction
“We do not dispute the paid character, but it is still necessary to announce it clearly and that it is clearly visible and understandable by all.
There is a requirement for transparency, ”insists Raphaël Bartlomé.
In particular, he points to the fact that this “buyer protection is presented as optional”.
“But at no time is it possible to uncheck or refuse this option,” he says.
So it is not.
"
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Another complaint: the amount of this "buyer protection, which is equivalent to 5% of the transaction + 0.70 euro" is not clearly enough highlighted, according to the UFC-Que Choisir, which thus evokes "breaches of pre-contractual obligations ”.
“It appears very small on the page of the article, then during the last stage of the transaction, just before paying,” he laments.
And once the order is finalized, the amount disappears, only the price of the product and the shipping costs are displayed in the application.
To find the amount of this "buyer protection", you have to go to the website or look at your emails.
However, this is important information that must be known from the start and be clearly visible.
"
"Colossal" sums
For the association, “millions” of consumers would thus be harmed.
"With 5 million unique visitors per day, Vinted comes in 4th position in the ranking of the most consulted e-commerce sites and applications in France", recalls the association in a press release, before adding: "The sums generated by the undue invoicing of this commission is colossal ”.
It will now be necessary to wait several months before the judgment is rendered.
"The legal battle can last for a year and a half, maybe two years," says Raphaël Bartlomé.
In the meantime, we therefore advise consumers to keep all transaction emails.
"