Consumer center
Complaints about the return of a deposit in supermarkets
It is not always possible to return all deposit bottles. That upset many people. There are legal regulations.
Around 400 complaints about problems with the return of deposit bottles and cans in supermarkets have been received by the Hamburg Consumer Center in the past three years. The advice center in Hamburg looks after the topic nationwide, as employees Tristan Jorde said.
The complaints therefore concern dealers throughout Germany. The displeasure is often directed against large supermarkets and discounters. Almost every second complaint (47 percent) received because machines announced that they could not read signs. Defective machines were in second place in the defendant. There were also complaints about the “product not in the range”.
Consumer center criticizes trade
The consumer advice center points out that the markets are mostly obliged to take empty deposit with a disposal according to the Packaging Act. Is irrelevant where the bottles and the cans have been bought. “Whether a can is crushed or a bottle is dirty does not matter,” said Jorde. There are exceptions for smaller shops.
The consumer advice center criticizes trade because of the problems. Jorde calls for better controls from authorities and fines against dealers if they violate the law.
When returning reusable deposits, retailers may make specifications to the customer. This applies, for example, glass bottles that are filled several times. For example, retailers often only have to withdraw reusable deposits in the same type, shape and size – as it is sold.
dpa
Source: Stern
