Businesses face record complaints as ARN blacklists 235 companies in Sweden

Businesses that fail to comply with the decisions of the National Board for Consumer Complaints (ARN) are added to the “blacklist” published by the consumer advocacy magazine Råd & Rön. In the latest update, a record 235 companies have been listed. This reflects an increase in consumer complaints received by the Consumer Agency, which reported over 32,000 cases last year, up by more than 6,300 from the previous year.

Daniel Kjellberg, the magazine’s editor, stated that the rise in complaints is attributed to various factors, including problems associated with e-commerce, an increase in fraud, and the broader economic climate affecting individuals and businesses alike. Notably, the automotive sector has the highest number of complaints, with 71 companies cited in 95 cases where customers were not compensated. Often, these issues involve used cars with unexpected defects.

Companies that disregard ARN’s recommendations face a two-year stint on the blacklist. Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has appeared on the list for the second time due to its refusal to repair a broken door on a customer’s vehicle. Smaller, local businesses tend to dominate the blacklist due to a lack of knowledge about laws and regulations, while large companies usually avoid this situation as it could damage their reputation.

The travel sector also shows a significant number of complaints, with 27 airlines, including major carriers like Turkish Airlines, Ryanair, and Wizz Air, facing issues related to delays without compensation. The blacklist is updated twice a year and now consists of around 700 companies, indicating mounting challenges for consumers in Sweden.