Vocational School of Justice
WE ENJOYED SAFE ONLINE SHOPPING!
Turks loved online shopping. According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) data, 33.1% of internet users bought goods or services over the internet. 57.4% of internet customers bought clothes and sports goods, 27% of that travel arrangements (transport tickets, car rentals, etc.), 25.5% of that household goods, 22.4% of that electronic equipment, 18.4% of that books, magazines, newspapers (including e-books). As e-shopping increased, it brought along legal arrangements. Internet shopping in Turkey is now much safer.
Prof. Dr. Huriye Kubilay, Dean of IUE Faculty of Law, stated that the Law on Regulation of Electronic Commerce (the "E-Commerce Law") came into effect and legal actions were taken in order for safe online shopping in Turkey.
Your Rights When Shopping Online
Prof. Dr. Kubilay reminded that natural and legal persons engaging in electronic commercial activities were obliged to provide certain information to the recipient before the conclusion of an agreement by electronic means. “The customer now has a chance to withdraw from the order or change it. Customer’s personal information is secured under credit card information. Service provider is obliged to post the terms of agreement under the ‘transaction guide’ on the main page. All kinds of documents of individuals or companies engaging in electronic commercial activities will be scrutinized by the supervisors of Ministry of Customs and Trade. Failure to comply with these obligations will result in monetary fines of between 1,000 TL and 50,000TL,” reported Kubilay.
‘Turks Are Opening Up to Virtual World’
Prof. Dr. Kubilay said that regulations on order confirmation, complaints, and inspection of these were covered separately, and they aimed to ease the activities of enterprises in opening their products and services up to the world. Prof. Dr. Kubilay indicated that the sector grew each passing day and said that the market reached to 18.9 billion TL with an annual 35% increase.
I Have a Compliant! What Should I Do?
You may make your compliant online at e-State or Ministry of Customs and Trade’s internet site.
If you want a written complaint, you need to apply to Provincial Directorate of Ministry of Customs and Trade in person. Make sure to write your name, last name, address on your petition and sign it.