DHL lost out in court. In the future, suppliers will no longer be able to simply drop off packages as was previously the case. For consumers, this should put an end to a frequent annoyance.
For delivery to storage location: DHL must inform customers
DHL cannot continue as before. The Federal Court of Justice has now decided in a judgment. Accordingly, the parcel service can in future no longer deposit shipments at a location previously specified by the recipient and consider them delivered without further ado. The consumer protection center of North Rhine-Westphalia had filed a complaint against a corresponding wording in DHL’s terms and conditions and was right in the second instance.
So far, DHL’s terms and conditions have said: “If the recipient has a the parcel is deemed to have been delivered if it has been parked at the location specified in the permit,” Focus quotes online. The judges ruled on Friday that the corresponding clause should no longer be used in this way.
The reason: The wording would unreasonably disadvantage consumers, since it does not oblige DHL to inform the recipients. On the other hand, corresponding information would enable consumers to “take the shipment soon,” according to the court. Without the information, parcel customers could theoretically wait for their shipment for days while DHL has already taken care of everything.
No notification from DHL: Consumers know the problem
Many consumers will be familiar with the problem. Because although it is common practice for DHL to inform you about delivered or pending packages – for example by SMS, e-mail or as a notification via app – it is not mandatory in fact, the message is often missing.
DHL, Hermes and Co. – the parcel services in comparison:
The judges also objected to other passages in the DHL General Terms and Conditions. Including those who have excluded certain types of goods from transport with DHL. In some cases – including when sending cash, for which DHL applies a maximum limit of 500 euros per day per sender and recipient – the Parcel service, however, get right. Both DHL and the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center had contacted the BGH to have a previous judgment by the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court clarified.