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Amazon Dash Buttons Ruled Illegal In Germany (gizmodo.com)
Amazon Dash buttons have been ruled illegal in Germany for making it too easy to buy Amazon products. Germany consumer advocacy group, Verbraucherzentrale NRW, "complained that Amazon's terms enable the company to switch out an ordered product with something else, and the buttons break laws protecting shoppers from buying things they are not fully informed about," reports Gizmodo. From the report: At first the wifi-connected buttons enabled users to quickly buy basic home goods and groceries -- like detergent, paper towels, macaroni and cheese, and bottled water. But Amazon has since added dozens more, from Slim Jims to Red Bull to Calvin Kline underwear. "We are always open to innovation. But if innovation means that the consumer is put at a disadvantage and price comparisons are made difficult then we fight that," Wolfgang Schuldzinski, leader of Verbraucherzentrale NRW, said to in a public statement.
The Munich court has sided with the organization, and ruled that the Dash buttons break consumer protection rules. The Verbraucherzentrale NRW statement suggests Amazon can't appeal the decision. But an Amazon spokesperson told Gizmodo that the company believes the button and its app don't violate German law, and Amazon is going to appeal. "The decision is not only against innovation, it also prevents customers from making an informed choice for themselves about whether a service like Dash Button is a convenient way for them to shop," the spokesperson said.
The Munich court has sided with the organization, and ruled that the Dash buttons break consumer protection rules. The Verbraucherzentrale NRW statement suggests Amazon can't appeal the decision. But an Amazon spokesperson told Gizmodo that the company believes the button and its app don't violate German law, and Amazon is going to appeal. "The decision is not only against innovation, it also prevents customers from making an informed choice for themselves about whether a service like Dash Button is a convenient way for them to shop," the spokesperson said.
The authors formulation suggests that he thinks Amazon's dash was just "making it easy" for people to buy stuff. The same could be said about the noble gambling industry, which also only makes it as easy as possible for people to give away their money. And yet, regulations regarding such "offers" exist in most parts of the world.
Why are they unable to create their own popular online shop?
For that matter, the entire EU seems to be lacking a proper Amazon competitor. I am genuinely puzzled as to why this is the case. There are some bright minds posting on Slashdot - does anybody have a theory for why Europe cannot seem to come up with their own online shopping portal?
Effing joke. You have to buy the buttons, and if they sell you something you didn't want return it.
How is pushing a Dash button different than electing a politican? You make your selection, expecting one thing, but you might get something different, but close. Maybe the German courts should outlaw politicians, too.
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Not being able to separate what's best for the German people from Nazism eh? How about you petition trump to build a wall on the northern boarder too. When you're economy collapses we don't need you as refugees.
It's not a problem that a country wants to make sure its citizens are fully informed before buying a product, get over it already. *GASP* oh no they'll have to click a few times and... READ! I can see why the Americans in the crowd are revolting.
Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
The customer did read, and clicked... and bought himself an Amazon Dash button.
Pushing a button in a screenless device does not show the current price of the item you pretend to buy, which may differ from the price it used to be when you acquired the button. And if you do not have elephant memory, you do not even remember the original price.
Seems like a fair ruling to me.
The problem is, the user can't agree to this, without actually being shown what they are supposed to agree with. The relevant eCommerce laws say that the full and current price/ amount must be shown to the user, with an explicit acknowledgement that they are now ordering this quantity of items for this specified cost.
This button would be legal if it were equipped with an eInk display showing the current price/ quantity (and the legal fine print making it obvious that hitting the button will order it now).
If you need a dash button there's something seriously wrong with you.
The problem is, the user can't agree to this, without actually being shown what they are supposed to agree with. The relevant eCommerce laws say that the full and current price/ amount must be shown to the user, with an explicit acknowledgement that they are now ordering this quantity of items for this specified cost.
This button would be legal if it were equipped with an eInk display showing the current price/ quantity (and the legal fine print making it obvious that hitting the button will order it now).
Thanks for the explanation (seriously). After hearing that Amazon can substitute other items and also that the price can fluctuate, I get why the Germans aren't keen on this.. I don't have any Dash buttons, but if I can't be sure I'm going to get what I want, at a price I know about beforehand, I don't think I'll be getting any..
If you want to check out some crazy "everything for consumers" go and try pay online the motorway toll for Austria. You need to do it 18 days in advance. Because the customer has rights, needs two weeks to think, plus three days for the (snail) mail to reach them (yes, they are thinking you pay the motorway online and then after two weeks send a letter saying you don't agree to it anymore). And because you could change your mind in two weeks you are not allowed to pay online the toll for today. Or tomorrow. You need to actually stop somewhere (not a drive-through toll boot, you usually need to park, go inside a gas station or something) and buy it. Sure, you can buy it from your phone or computer too - but it'll be valid only from 30 or 31st of January, no matter if you want to drive now. It's all for your benefit, you need to be protected, what if you change your mind?
Big corp can financially and massively comes with scheme to give the false impression or not deliver what is expected. Joe public does not have the resource to either document/study/understand every such a scheme and their result, neither the financial power to fight corp. Thus in all countries, SANE countries not beholden to do blow job to corp, there is a form of consumer protection. If you don't like it, too bad for you, most of us recognize why such laws are in places.
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He ordered truckloads of condoms using a electric toothbrush.
How about you petition trump to build a wall on the northern boarder too. When you're economy collapses we don't need you as refugees.
Americans have guns, bombs, and trucks, to say nothing of backhoes and the like. You can't keep us out with a wall. You can't keep anyone out with a wall along a border that length, in fact. Or, for that matter, the length of the US-Mexico border.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
This actually was already an appeal and it was found to be lacking. Hence an appeal to a higher court was not allowed. German courts can do that. The only appeal Amazon could do is to the German supreme court, with absolutely no chances to even be heard.
Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
Sure thing buddy.. Sure thing...