Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

MONEY

Is it a scam? Why Netflix in Austria is offering many customers refunds

Netflix clients who had a subscription in Austria between 2019 and 2020 have a claim to a refund of up to €30. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 22 May 2024 11:19 CEST
Is it a scam? Why Netflix in Austria is offering many customers refunds
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

If you were one of the people in Austria who received an email from Netflix asking you to fill in a form to receive a certain refund amount, don’t worry—the claim is real. 

You can check the official notice on the Netflix website HERE. You can also find the link to the online refund form in case you want to be extra safe and not open any links emailed to you.

What happened?

Austria’s Chamber of Labor (AK), which was called in by the AK Upper Austria, sued Netflix regarding price changes in 2019 and 2020, the chamber explained.

As Netflix was interested in an amicable settlement of this dispute, the company proposed offering affected consumers a refund of membership fees in the form of a lump sum of €20 or €30, depending on whether consumers were affected by one or both price increases. 

The AK agreed to this proposal so that further lengthy court proceedings could be avoided, it said.

READ ALSO: 8 Austrian TV series to watch to improve your (Austrian) German

All consumers who accept this amicable settlement offer will receive a quick refund without any bureaucratic hassle or years of waiting. They don’t have to take any proactive steps; they just have to keep an eye out for the Netflix refund offer in their mailbox. The email was sent on the morning of May 22nd to the email account associated with your Netflix account.

You should receive the email (and refund) even if you no longer subscribe to the streaming service.

How can I get the money?

If you’re affected, you’ll receive an email from Netflix with a personal code and the link to a form that should be filled out by August 14th. If you prefer not to click on any links emailed to you (this Netflix refund seems like a perfect phishing opportunity for fraudsters, so watch out for any fake emails you might receive), you can find the notice on Netflix’s website HERE.

The page will have the link for the online refund form or you can click HERE and go straight to the KCC form.

The money should be credited to the bank account you provide within 30 days of the settlement period that ends on August 14th. The form also contains a waiver of further legal claims regarding the matter. 

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

MONEY

EXPLAINED: How to get a refund for your Amazon subscription in Austria

If you are an Amazon Prime subscriber - or were before autumn 2022 - you are entitled to compensation due to what Austria's Chamber of Labour calls 'illegal price increase'. Here are the steps you need to take before September.

Published: 13 June 2024 13:34 CEST
Updated: 15 June 2024 09:08 CEST
EXPLAINED: How to get a refund for your Amazon subscription in Austria

Austria’s Chamber of Labour, called the Arbeiterkammer (AK) has announced a settlement with Amazon that will entitle certain subscribers of the online retailing giant to a partial refund on their subscription.

What happened?

In September 2022, Amazon increased the prices for its Prime subscription. The AK found that the price increase clause, among other provisions it did not specify, was unlawful and filed a lawsuit.

Similarly to a previous case with Netflix price increases, the AK and Amazon agreed on compensation to consumers after “lengthy settlement negotiations”, the chamber said.

Anyone who took out a Prime subscription before fall 2022 and was affected by the price increase will get their money back or a voucher from Amazon.

READ ALSO: 8 things you should know before starting an office job in Austria

How much will I get? 

The claim amount depends on the membership’s type and duration. You will receive the entire price increase back without any deductions in the form of a credit note (Amazon voucher) or a refund to your bank account.

The highest amount will be for anyone who had an annual membership in July 2022 and is still a subscriber now. In this case, the person would be entitled to around € 36.50 for 21 months of the contract. 

How do I get it?

You must request a refund from Amazon Customer Service by September 11th at the latest. To do so, log in to your Amazon customer account and fill out the refund form “Prime Austria: Request for Refund.” 

Customers can then choose between a refund or an Amazon voucher for the same amount. According to the AK, the voucher is valid for ten years and can be redeemed for almost all Amazon services. 

You will receive confirmation of your registration from Amazon within three weeks of registering on the Amazon homepage; once your claim has been approved, the money will be credited to your bank account within another three weeks.

If you have opted for a refund in the form of a credit note (Amazon voucher), you will receive it within a few days of registering in your customer account.

READ ALSO: Can you pay your Austrian taxes using a foreign bank account?

Who is entitled to it?

As mentioned, you are entitled to repayment if you were affected by the September 15th, 2022 price increase. You must have been a client before that date and continued paying the higher amount. 

You also need to register by the deadline of September 11th. The settlement is only valid for clients in Austria. Even if you have already terminated your Prime membership, you will be refunded the price increase paid for the relevant period. 

Will I pay a lower membership fee from now on? 

No. When you fill out the refund form, you will be asked whether you wish to continue your Prime membership. If you want to remain a Prime customer, you agree to pay the higher price from now on. Alternatively, you can withdraw from the contract at the same time as claiming the refund.

SHOW COMMENTS