The Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) and the European Consumer Centre Latvia (ECC Latvia) urge Latvian consumers to exercise caution when shopping on the online marketplace Glowie.lv, operated by the Lithuanian trader MB "Graudera". Complaints received from consumers indicate systemic issues in payment processing as well as significant obstacles to exercising the right of withdrawal.
Consumers report situations where, after attempting to purchase a single product (a photoepilator), the website displays a message indicating that the payment has failed. Misled about the status of the transaction, consumers either attempt to make the payment again or simply close the website. However, they later discover double or even multiple charges in their bank account statements. As a result, consumers receive two or more identical photoepilators.
When consumers contact the trader to request cancellation of the erroneous orders, their requests are reportedly rejected on the grounds that the goods have already been dispatched. After receiving the shipment, consumers encounter disproportionate requirements and difficult communication with the seller, making it challenging—or in some cases practically impossible—to exercise their right of withdrawal and return the product.
Another group of complainants has indicated that the photoepilator received did not meet their expectations, yet the trader refused to accept the product return. Consumers are reminded that, under consumer protection legislation, if a product purchased under a distance contract is used even once beyond the extent necessary to establish its nature, characteristics, and functioning—as would be possible in a physical store—it loses its status as a new product.
In such cases, the consumer is liable for any diminished value of the product, providing the trader with legal grounds not to refund the full amount paid. Therefore, in cases of erroneous orders or when planning to exercise the right of withdrawal, consumers are advised not to test the device, remove protective films, or damage the packaging.
Experience to date shows that the Lithuanian trader has not been willing to resolve disputes either directly with consumers or through the European Consumer Centre Lithuania (ECC Lithuania), which is working together with ECC Latvia to handle these cross-border complaints.
Given that the Glowie.lv website attracts consumers with substantial discounts—for example, offering photoepilators at discounts of up to 70%—the CRPC and ECC Latvia remind consumers that such “mega discounts” often serve as a psychological incentive intended to create a sense of urgency and encourage hasty purchasing decisions. Before making a purchase, consumers are encouraged not to rush into a transaction and instead compare prices of similar products offered by other reputable retailers.
Furthermore, the website does not provide clear information about the trader itself. Essential legal information—including the company name, registration number, and registered address—is entirely absent. Consumers are reminded that the lack of transparent trader details on a website is one of the first indicators of elevated risk for purchasers.
In light of the above, the CRPC and ECC Latvia urge consumers to carefully assess the risks before placing an order on the Glowie.lv website.