Online Thanksgiving purchases may come with a disappointing twist, as AK issues a warning about deliveries not being fulfilled as expected.

In Upper Austria, a growing number of consumers have reported issues with hidden charges and unwanted subscriptions, particularly from the publication "ZEIT". An Upper Austrian woman recently received an invoice of over 300 euros for a magazine subscription she did not expect.

The issue seems to stem from free magazine offers, which often start a paid subscription without clear cancellation requirements. Contrary to expectations, there is no mention of a cancellation requirement for subscriptions when ordering a free magazine from "ZEIT".

The terms of the subscription are not always apparent at first glance; they are hidden in a "More reading" menu. This practice does not meet the requirements for concluding a payment obligation contract, as stated by the Consumer Protection Act, which requires important information like costs and duration to be clearly visible before a contract.

The Consumer Protection Act also applies to contracts in Upper Austria, and companies that benefit from free offers must clearly and openly inform about all costs. However, in the case of "ZEIT", many consumers have reported being charged for subscriptions after requesting free magazines.

The regional chamber of labor in Upper Austria has received multiple complaints about this issue. The responsible organization from which the Upper Austrian woman ordered a free booklet is the regional government of Upper Austria, specifically the family service issuing the "OÖ Familienvorteilskatalog" (Upper Austria Family Advantage Catalog) or related family benefit publications.

In response to these complaints, the debt collection office has stopped collection proceedings in the mentioned case. The Upper Austrian Chamber of Labor has been able to help consumers who have received unwanted subscriptions and charges.

It is important for consumers to carefully examine the terms of any free offers before accepting them, particularly when ordering from "ZEIT". If you do not cancel the subscription after the free issue, more magazines will continue to be sent and charged.

Companies that engage in such practices risk damaging their reputation and potentially facing legal consequences. It is hoped that "ZEIT" will address this issue and provide clearer information to its customers to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Online Thanksgiving purchases may come with a disappointing twist, as AK issues a warning about deliveries not being fulfilled as expected.