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"Button Amendment" and Its Changes for E-shops

"Button Amendment" and Its Changes for E-shops

πŸ“’ Attention, e-shop owners! πŸ“’
As of December 20, 2022, the so-called "Button Amendment" is in effect, bringing significant changes to the Civil Code and the Consumer Protection Act.

These changes strengthen customer rights but also provide some benefits for sellers. The amendment has been approved by Parliament and is mandatory for all e-shops.

Let’s break down what this means for online stores!


πŸ”Ή 1) Ban on Fake Reviews

πŸ’¬ Reviews must be verified!

πŸ‘‰ If an e-shop displays customer reviews, it must:
βœ… Inform customers whether reviews are verified
βœ… Explain the verification process directly next to the reviews
βœ… Disclose how average ratings are calculated
βœ… Clarify the criteria for sorting reviews (e.g., if paid reviews are prioritized)
βœ… Not delete negative reviews to manipulate the overall rating

⚠ Fines of up to CZK 5 million!
If a customer makes a purchase based on a misleading review, they can withdraw from the contract within 90 days.

βœ… Recommendations for e-shops:
πŸ”Ή Allow only registered customers to leave reviews
πŸ”Ή Send a unique review link only to buyers
πŸ”Ή Require an email address for review submission and verify it against orders


πŸ”Ή 2) New Discount Rules

πŸ’° No more artificially inflated original prices!

πŸ“Œ New regulations:
βœ” The original (strikethrough) price = the lowest price in the last 30 days before the discount
βœ” If the product is less than 30 days old, the original price must be the lowest price during that period
βœ” Increasing the discount must still be based on the same lowest price

πŸ“Œ Exceptions:
❌ Perishable goods
❌ Loyalty programs, 2+1 offers, personalized discounts

πŸ’‘ Tip for e-shops:
πŸ‘‰ Avoid using the term "discount" and opt for labels like "better price" instead.


πŸ”Ή 3) Personalized Pricing

πŸ“Œ If an e-shop adjusts prices based on a customer’s data, it must notify them!

⚠ This does not apply to dynamic pricing that is the same for all users (e.g., seasonal sales).


πŸ”Ή 4) Mandatory Pre-Purchase Information

πŸ›’ What e-shops MUST display before checkout:
βœ… Phone number and email address
βœ… Detailed product description (also visible in the cart)
βœ… Total price clearly visible
βœ… Shipping costs must be displayed in the cart (cannot be calculated later)
βœ… Delivery restrictions (e.g., international shipping availability)
βœ… Service, warranty, and return policy details


πŸ”Ή 5) New Rule for Checkout Buttons

πŸ”˜ The checkout button must clearly indicate that the order is binding and requires payment!

βœ… Correct button labels:
βœ” "Order with obligation to pay"
βœ” "Buy now"
βœ” "Pay now"

❌ Incorrect labels:
✘ "Sign up"
✘ "Order now"


πŸ”Ή 6) Warranty and Returns

πŸ“Œ What’s changing?
βœ” The 2-year warranty now applies to software (including updates)
βœ” First year – the seller must prove that a defect was caused by the customer
βœ” Second year – the customer must prove the defect was present at purchase

⚠ If offering an extended warranty, the seller must clearly state it as a bonus.

πŸ“Œ Complaints must be resolved within 30 days!


πŸ”Ή 7) 14-Day Return Policy

πŸ“Œ Customers are responsible for reducing the product’s value if they use it beyond what is necessary for testing.

πŸ’‘ Tip for e-shops: Provide product testers where possible (e.g., for cosmetics).


πŸ”Ή 8) Unclaimed Shipments

πŸ“Œ What to do?
βœ” The return policy must be stated in the purchase agreement
βœ” Customers must be notified about their shipment’s status
βœ” The e-shop can store the order and charge storage fees


πŸ”Ή 9) No Pre-Checked Boxes

πŸ”˜ Pre-checked add-ons (e.g., shipping insurance) are now illegal!
πŸ“Œ Customers must explicitly consent to any extra charges.


πŸ”Ή 10) General E-Shop Obligations

πŸ“Œ Additional rules:
βœ” Contracts and terms & conditions must be provided in a text format
βœ” User manuals do not have to be printed, but customers must be able to request them
βœ” If selling food, the composition must be identical to what is sold abroad


❗ How to Avoid Fines?

πŸ’° Breaking these rules can result in fines of up to CZK 5 million!

βœ… Verify customer reviews
βœ… Ensure fair discount pricing
βœ… Correctly label the checkout button
βœ… Provide clear pre-purchase information
βœ… Follow proper return and warranty policies

πŸ’‘ Not sure if your e-shop is compliant with the new legislation?
πŸ“© Contact us for a legal audit of your online store! βœ