Online shopping in Kosovo: When Free Price Cost Too Much

Social media have become a market in Kosovo, but not all vendors are correct. Many buyers end up with false or low - quality products and no way to get their money back.

What once served mainly as space for friends has now become a digital marketplace.

Countless users of social media in Kosovo bring their products online, without any regulations, guarantees or responsibilities.

As a result, their buyers often get something different from what they see.

“Bluza had no color, no material, no model, no size as it did in the photograph”, tells of Radio Free Europe a buyer who will be identified only as Arben.

Lured by beautiful advertising and the convenient price, Arben says he bought two T - shirts. But when he accepted the package, he felt disappointed.

“Dial was extremely large with photos”, he says.

Arben says he's contacted the Facebook site several times since he received the message, but that he's not received an answer.

Through online messages, Radio Free Europe also contacted him to ask him about the store's address, but without answers.

The site has over 20,000 followers and no addresses or phone numbers.

“All products are 100% in photos”, in his description.

REL also contacted the mail that has delivered the order to Arben, but its representatives said they have no right to share information about the sellers and that they are responsible only for the distribution.

This case is not isolated. In Kosovo's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Intervention (MINT) confirms to Radio Free Europe that between January 1st and March 13th of this year, 104 complaints have been accepted for the “online acquisition” category.

During the past year, meanwhile, this minister has accepted 363 complaints against operators operating on electronic markets, most of which have had to do with non-recognition.

How are Web pages inspected?

Central Market Supervisor Inspector, operating under MINT, is also responsible for monitoring online sales.

However, authorities acknowledge that control of online pages is difficult, as inspectors do not have direct access to the facilities where these businesses operate.

The subx0.> The assistant of the vendors, the use of many platforms and the hiding of identity, using fake pages and names, as well as incorrect addresses, cannot handle the legal inspection and prosecution of these” subjects, the Inspectorate's response to Radio Free Europe.

Because of these challenges, the Inspectorate says it conveys citizens' complaints to Kosovo police.

But the latter did not provide any information on the measures taken to prevent these practices.

Call to Care

Both the Inspectorate and social networking experts urge consumers to be cautious about online purchases, since there is a danger of fraud, especially in the quality of products.

Before conducting a purchase, they advise consumers to verify the retailer's credibility by checking his identity, physical address, phone number and registration at the Agency for Registering Business (ARBK).

Social networking expert Dardan Hasku says the payment should not be carried out before the product is verified.

The good thing about all this is that payments are not made with bank cards, but cash, after accepting the product. Customers can ask for mail to let them see the product before they pay. If the product doesn't comply with the order, they have the right to reject”, Hask tells Radio Free Europe.

To increase awareness of online shopping risks, MINT has distributed some information material to consumers.

“During the merchandise admission, don't pay without opening the package to make sure you're getting the product ordered. Also, ask for payment to be accompanied by fiscal coupon”, a brochure of MINT says.

Free Radio Europe asked the Kosovo Tax Administration whether these businesses pay taxes and if they are inspected, but, until the publication of this article, no response was received.

According to law enforcement, each online vendor is obliged to send the client the fiscal coupon along with the product.

It is estimated that online acquisitions in Kosovo have taken off the explosion of the COVID-19, in 2020, and this way.

But such purchases have become increasingly integral parts of everyday life worldwide.

In 2023, in the European Union, 75% of internet users aged 16 to 74 have purchased goods or services on the internet.

Statistics show that shares of electronic buyers have increased from 53% in 2010 to 75% in 2023.

Online consumers in the EU have certain rights, including the right to clear information about the product or service, the right to cancel the purchase within 14 days and the right to be repaid. / REL/