The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) and the European Consumer Information Centre (ECC Latvia) urge consumers to exercise caution and refrain from making purchases on the websites maijasdargumi.com, martalinde.com and madonastils.com.
Following an assessment of received complaints and available information, it has been established that these websites offer products manufactured in China while creating a misleading impression that the goods are of Latvian origin.
Identified Risks:
- consumers are misled about the origin, quality and value of the products;
- product returns must be made to China;
- delivery times may be longer than promised, and shipments may be delivered in multiple parcels;
- dispute resolution may be difficult, as the seller effectively operates outside Latvia and the European Union.
If a Purchase Has Already Been Made:
- contact the seller in writing (by email), clearly stating your request – cancellation of the order, a refund or return of the product;
- keep all evidence related to the purchase: order confirmation, payment documents, correspondence, delivery information, packaging labels, as well as screenshots of the website;
- if the product does not match the description or misleading information has been provided, document the discrepancies (photos/video);
- consider contacting your bank to dispute the payment (chargeback) if the purchase was made by card;
- if necessary, contact CRPC, attaching all available evidence and correspondence.
Before Shopping Online:
- verify the seller’s identity – check the company name, country of registration, address and registration number;
- carefully review delivery and return terms, paying particular attention to where the warehouse is located, the return address and who bears the shipping costs;
- save screenshots of the offer – product description, price, images and claims regarding origin (e.g. “made in Latvia”);
- choose payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as payment cards.