§ 9a. What a marketplace like Finn or Amazon must tell you
When you shop on an online marketplace (nettbasert markedsplass) such as Finn, Amazon or eBay, the platform must tell you four things: how the search results are ranked, whether the seller is a business or a private individual (privatperson), that consumer rights do not apply if the seller is private, and who is responsible for what between the seller and the platform.
Machine-translated from Norwegian. The Norwegian text is the one that applies. Read the original in Norwegian.Norsk English العربية Polski Українська
The text of the law (unofficial translation)
Before a distance selling (fjernsalg) contract is concluded on online marketplaces, the online marketplace provider (tilbyder av en nettbasert markedsplass) shall give the consumer (forbruker) the following information in a way that is clear, comprehensible and appropriate to the means of distance communication: a. general information about the main parameters determining the ranking of offers presented to the consumer in the search results, and the relative importance of those parameters as compared to other parameters b. whether or not the seller is a trader (næringsdrivende), on the basis of the seller's declaration to the online marketplace provider c. that consumer rights do not apply to the contract if the seller is not a trader d. where relevant, the division of obligations related to the contracts between the seller and the online marketplace provider.
The information under the first paragraph letter a must be provided in a specific section of the online interface that is directly and easily accessible from the page where the offers are presented.
The Ministry (Departementet) may by regulation (forskrift) require online marketplace providers to give consumers additional information.
What does this mean?
§ 9 a is newer than the rest of the Act (added in 2023) and deals with online marketplaces. These are platforms such as Finn, Amazon, eBay, Etsy and Tise — places where many sellers sell to many buyers through one shared platform.
The platform has its own responsibility to give you four types of information, in addition to what the seller itself must provide (under § 8):
a) How are the search results ranked? When you search, the platform must explain which criteria decide the order. Is it price? Popularity? Advertising? Algorithms based on your history? You are entitled to know the main rules. This information must be easily accessible from the search page — typically via a link.
b) Is the seller a business or a private individual? The platform must clearly show whether the seller is a trader or private. The difference is big: when you buy from a business, you have a right of withdrawal (angrerett), the right to complain about defects and other consumer rights. When you buy from a private individual, you have far fewer rights.
c) The consequence of buying from a private individual. The platform must tell you that consumer rights do NOT apply if the seller is private. This is a warning — because you might easily think "I bought on Finn, so I'm protected". You are not necessarily.
d) Who is responsible for what? If the platform is responsible for certain parts of the contract (for example payment, delivery or customer service), this must be stated clearly. This is important if something goes wrong.
Note that the platform bases the information about "trader or not" on the seller's own declaration. If a private individual lies and says they are a private individual when they are in fact running a business, it is not the platform's fault — but you may have rights against the seller itself.
Examples
Petter searches for a used jacket on Finn. He finds a jacket for NOK 800, clicks on it, and clearly sees at the top of the ad: "Private seller". Below the ad there is a short text: "When buying from a private individual, the Consumer Purchases Act and the Right of Withdrawal Act do not apply." That is § 9 a letters b and c in practice. Petter is now informed: if the jacket has a fault, he does not have the same right to complain about defects as when buying from a business. He buys it anyway — but now with his eyes open.
Marius buys a sports watch on an online marketplace. The watch is faulty. He contacts the platform, which says "the seller is responsible, not us". Marius wonders what actually applies. He checks the platform's help pages and finds the information on the "division of obligations" under § 9 a letter d. It turns out the platform has buyer protection if the item is never delivered, but no responsibility for faults and defects — that lies with the seller. Now he knows what he can claim and from whom.
Common mistakes
- You think "buying on Finn = consumer rights". That is only true if the seller is a business. Many sellers on Finn are private individuals — and then the right of withdrawal does not apply, and the right to complain about defects is much weaker.
- You think the platform is always responsible if something goes wrong. The platform is usually just an intermediary. It is the seller who is your contracting party — unless the platform has taken on specific obligations.
- You think the search results show "objectively the best". They rarely do. Many platforms rank by paid advertising, commission or other commercial considerations. You have the right to know the main criteria.
What should you do?
Before you buy on a marketplace: check whether the seller is marked as a business or a private individual. This is usually clearly shown near the price or the seller information. If it is a private individual, be aware that you are taking a bigger risk. If it is a business, you have full consumer rights.
If you are curious about the ranking criteria, look for a link such as "How we rank offers" — it should be accessible from the search page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between buying from a business vs. a private individual on Finn?
Why must the platform explain ranking?
- § 8The seller's duty to provide information (opplysningsplikt) before the purchase
- § 5Definitions (incl. online marketplace)
- § 1Which purchases the Act applies to