“A market that seems to prefer opacity and cheating”: the (always) reconditioners angry with fraud and private copying
It is the reputation of the second hand that seems to be at stake. In a column published in the Nouvel Observateura galaxy of policies, members of the industry and traders, denounces the effects of the cheating that erodes “consumer confidence“In the reconditioned world.
Denouncing one “Massive fraud, led by unscrupulous sellers“, the signatories require reinforced controls on scams on VAT, wild import and other sleight of hand which”undermine the foundations of loyal competition“”
Price differences up to 200 euros
The problem is old as almost the reconditioned. The opening of large marketplaces has competed in players from the 4 corners of the globe, some of which readily skimp on taxes, standards and other administrative complexities. Result, the least scrupulous reconditioners sometimes display lower goods than local actors thanks to “unfair commercial practices that distort competition.“”
Is appointed in the gallery the fraud on VAT, dumping, non-payment of ecocontributions or private copy root royalty “price differences up to 200 euros between a compliant product and a fraudulent product“. A windfall for devices whose price remains the first factor of attraction.
More serious, these products “may present health and security risks for the consumer“, explains the text, which does not forget to specify that some do not comply with more obvious standards, such as marking CE or the law on single charger. Too often, notes the gallery, these unscrupulous companies work via a system of “mailbox“which allows them to claim a European origin when the products only transit by countries not too looking at these questions, such as Cyprus or Malta.
A question of confidence
At the end of the race “consumer confidence in reconditioned products – however essential to digital sobriety – crumbles“, Local manufacturers are alarmed. Even today, industry is struggling with issues of confidence of the general publicdamaged by Very media, but unrectedious return of experience.
If the gallery seems to agree a good number of actors, some signatures seem to be missing. That of Back Market first, which has long been accused by reconditioners of facilitating this wild competitionbut who has since tried to clean up on his virtual shelves. That of Cdiscount also, precisely accused by Back Market of Fraud to the taxman.
The fear of a new increase in taxes
In parallel, these same actors in the reconditioned always lead their battle on the private copy fee. Believing that the reconditioned products have already paid for this tax during their first livesthe second -hand sector continues to scrap against the 2021 decision which subjects them to this tithe. As the media reveals the informedthe absence of an impact study, however promised by the government in four years ago worries the various resellers who could face a new increase in the start of the 2025 school year.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Culture (who pilots this fee), unions and federations are demanding the delivery of this impact study that is judged “essential to guarantee decision -making based on objective data“. Industrialists no doubt see it as a new lever to debate the merits of the extension of this tax to second-hand products.
Behind the amendment asking for this impact study is also the Renaissance deputy for Côtes-d’Armor Eric Bothorel, also a signatory of La Tribune for a stricter supervision of market places.
