In Zoetermeer, fake reviews are strictly prohibited. Local businesses and online shops may not post false ratings or have them posted. Purchasing positive reviews is also considered an unfair commercial practice, which can mislead consumers in the region.
What Exactly Are Fake Reviews?
Fake reviews include reviews that:
- Are not from real buyers in Zoetermeer or elsewhere
- Are written by the company itself or its employees
- Are purchased or exchanged for favors
- Negative feedback comes from competing businesses
Why Are They Prohibited in Zoetermeer?
These practices are misleading and undermine consumer trust. Residents of Zoetermeer often base their choices on online reviews for local stores or services. False reviews therefore violate fair trading rules and help protect the local economy.
What Is Allowed in Practice?
- Encouraging customers to share genuine reviews
- Reviews from customers who received a small discount, as long as this is disclosed transparently
- Reviews from influencers, provided they are clearly marked as sponsored
Obligations for Review Platforms
Since 2022, platforms are required to:
- Taking action against false reviews
- Describe how they verify authenticity
- Indicate which reviews are verified
How Can Residents of Zoetermeer Spot Fake Reviews?
Watch for these warning signs:
- Reviews that are extremely positive or negative without any justification
- Generic comments without specific details about the product or service
- A sudden surge of ratings in a short period
- Reviewer profiles that have only rated one item
Reporting Fake Reviews in Zoetermeer
Report suspicious fake reviews to the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) and directly to the platform. For personal legal advice in Zoetermeer, you can contact Het Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer or the Rechtbank Zoetermeer. The Gemeente Zoetermeer also provides information on consumer rights through their website.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.