Distansköp

Distansköp is a Swedish term that translates to "distance purchase" or "remote purchase." It refers to any transaction where the buyer and seller are not physically present in the same location at the time of the agreement and transaction. This is a broad category that encompasses a wide range of commercial activities, particularly prevalent in the modern era of e-commerce and online shopping.

The concept of distansköp is legally defined in Sweden, primarily within the Consumer Sales Act (Konsumentköplagen) and the Distance and Off-Premises Contracts Act (Lag om distansavtal och avtal utanför affärslokaler). These laws provide specific consumer protections for transactions made remotely. Key protections include a right of withdrawal, meaning consumers generally have a 14-day period to cancel a purchase without providing a reason, starting from the day they receive the goods or, in the case of services, from the day the contract is concluded.

Distansköp includes purchases made through websites, mail order catalogs, telephone orders, and sometimes even sales made by door-to-door salespeople. The laws aim to ensure that consumers have sufficient information about the product or service, the seller, and their rights before and after making a purchase, compensating for the inability to inspect the goods or services directly before the transaction. Clear information about return policies, costs, and contact details of the seller is mandatory.