Drivers who buy an e-vignette from middleman websites registered abroad are paying unexpected extra fees, the European Consumer Centre (ECC) Bulgaria has warned on its website. The centre says it has received many complaints from such buyers in recent months.
The middleman's registration fee can reach one third of the vignette price. It is listed in the sites' terms and conditions, but the ECC says customers often do not see it before they pay.
"Check not only the price of the vignette, but also who is selling it to you," said ECC Bulgaria director Sonya Spasova.
Buying through a middleman is not banned, and the vignette is fully valid, the centre says. But the price can be far above the official one. Before paying, buyers should know they are using a middleman, what the service includes and how much more they will pay.
The ECC says middleman sites look professional and have easy order forms, and their design or web address resembles the official pages. Some show up at the top of search results, even as paid ads marked "Sponsored" or "Advertisement".
"A site that looks official or comes up first in an internet search may be a middleman that adds an extra fee," Spasova warned.
The biggest risk is buying a vignette at the last minute, or on a phone just minutes before setting off. In a rush, people miss details about the seller, the fees and the terms.
The ECC advises drivers not to assume the first site in a search is the official one, and to check the web address, the company behind the site and its contact details. If it is unclear who the seller is, or whether it is a middleman, drivers should take care.
The centre recommends comparing the final price with the official price for the type of vignette. If a data field has a star, an arrow or an exclamation mark next to it, drivers should click on it and read the information.
Problems can also arise after the purchase. Whether a vignette can be changed or cancelled depends on the terms of the service and on the rules that apply, the ECC says.