Out-Law News 1 min. read

Amazon rebuts claims its Dash Button service breaches German consumer laws


Amazon has refuted claims made by a watchdog in Germany that its Dash Button service breaches the country's consumer protection laws.

Earlier this week Out-Law.com reported that the consumer advice centre of North Rhine-Westphalia had outlined plans to challenge Amazon's right to use its Dash Button service in Germany before the courts in the country.

The Amazon Dash Button is a product-branded device that features a Wi-Fi connected button that consumers can press to place a new order for the particular branded goods. Orders are managed through Amazon's mobile app where consumers can also select to be notified when they place an order.

However, the consumer advice centre of North Rhine-Westphalia has claimed Amazon fails to appropriately notify consumers that payment will be triggered when they press the Dash Button, and that information about the product, such as the total price to be paid and the product's essential characteristics, is not displayed to consumers at the time of ordering via the Dash Button, in breach of German laws.

The watchdog also said that terms and conditions relied on by Amazon allow the company to alter the price and shipping costs for each product, and choose replacement goods to deliver to consumers if their selected product is unavailable. It said such clauses are "inadmissible".

In response, an Amazon spokesperson told Out-Law.com that the company is "convinced" it complies with German law.

The spokesperson said: "The Dash Button offers our customers a completely new shopping experience for ordering everyday essentials, so they never run out of important household items like toilet paper and laundry detergent. The protection of customers’ rights is very important to us and is ensured with the Dash Button. We are convinced the Dash Button and the corresponding app are in line with German legislation."

"Setup and activation of a Dash Button exclusively happens through the Amazon Shopping App which provides all necessary information. Customers can use the app to check the order status, make changes to orders or cancel orders. Products ordered via the Dash Button are sold at the same prices sold on Amazon.de. When they place an order, customers get a notification on their smartphone that indicates the price of the item. Customers also receive order and shipment confirmation emails, as for any other order on Amazon.de. When ordering with the Dash Button, Amazon only ships the exact products the customer has selected in the app," they said.

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