Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The Institute of Economic Sciences has processed 270 consumer inquiries over the past three months, through its Free Online Consumer Advisory Service.

“The largest number of inquiries related to non-conformity of goods, with a total of 29 cases, followed by clothing, footwear and textiles with 24 inquiries, telecommunications services with 21, pricing and billing with 18, loans, interest and financial obligations with 16, and electricity with 15,” the Institute said in a press release.

They added that 23 inquiries were related to online shopping, of which 14 concerned distance purchasing and contracts, while nine were related to purchases via social media and unregistered profiles. Cases involving purchases through platforms such as Temu and AliExpress were also recorded.

“The Institute does not draw general conclusions about these platforms based solely on the number of inquiries, as each case has its own specifics. However, the presence of such inquiries indicates that international digital marketplaces are increasingly becoming part of everyday consumer practice in Montenegro,” the press release reads.

They believe that online shopping is particularly sensitive, as decisions are often made quickly, based on photos and descriptions created by the seller, without the possibility for the consumer to physically inspect the goods before purchase. 

According to the Institute, shopping via social media and unregistered profiles poses a particular risk, as consumers may lack clear information about the seller, sales conditions, complaint procedures, or refunds.