Aggressive fiber optic seller: Police intervene in basket!

Aggressive fiber optic seller: Police intervene in basket!

In recent weeks, reports of aggressive sales methods in the context of fiber optic expansion have repeatedly made headlines. There was an incident in Korb in particular that reignited the discussion about door-to-door sales. On Friday, May 23rd, the police in Korb received a report of an aggressive man who tried to force a fiber optic contract on a citizen on Waiblinger Strasse. According to Robert Silbe from the Aalen police headquarters, such door-to-door sales do not give rise to initial suspicion of a crime, but the police nevertheless sent a patrol to check the incident. The incident is described as not an isolated incident, reinforcing consumer concerns about practices in this area.

More and more German households are being connected to fiber optic networks. The federal government has set itself the goal of implementing nationwide fiber optic expansion by 2030. Around 41 million households in Germany currently have access to the new technologies. At the end of 2022, there were already 13.1 million fiber optic connections, of which 3.4 million were actively used. Over 75 percent of contracts are concluded through door-to-door sales, which illustrates the central role of door-to-door sales in acquiring customers.

Problematic sales tactics

The practice of door-to-door sales is not without controversy. Consumers repeatedly report surprise tactics and aggressive sales strategies that cause dissatisfaction. Companies like Telekom are often criticized because their representatives are often pressured to sell expensive contracts in order to receive high commissions. In Flensburg in particular, a series of complaints led to intensive follow-up training for employees.

According to an insider, some sellers use unfair methods to convince naive consumers to sign contracts immediately. The consumer advice center is therefore calling for improvements in consumer protection, in particular an extension of the cancellation period from 14 to 30 days. The Ministry of Consumer Protection is in discussions with the Federal Ministry of Justice about possible changes in order to respond to the European law questions regarding written consent for door-to-door sales.

Consumer rights

Consumers should always be aware that they do not have to accept door-to-door offers. Doorstep sales are permitted, but it is at the consumer's discretion to decline the contract. Sellers should not use pressure to force a deal. It is important to check the contract term details and cancellation policy before signing a contract. If a contract is concluded, there is a right of withdrawal that allows consumers to withdraw within 14 days. This also applies to contracts concluded over the telephone or online.

The current problems in the door-to-door sales sector surrounding fiber optic expansion show that a comprehensive discussion about consumer rights and the need for improved protective measures is urgently needed. According to [Tagesschau], the industry not only complains about internal challenges, but is also faced with a growing public that is becoming increasingly better informed about its rights. In North Rhine-Westphalia, almost 30 percent of households already have access to fast internet via fiber optic, but the pressure to increase the expansion rate remains high.

These developments demonstrate once again how important it is for consumers to remain informed and aware of their rights in order to defend themselves against unfair practices. The debate will certainly continue as long as aggressive sales strategies remain the order of the day.

For further information on the background to these topics, see the reports ZVW, daily news and Consumer advice center NRW recommended.