Nearly 700 complaints about air conditioners: France warns of online traps

Paris – 01/08/2026: Since the beginning of June, France’s Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) has recorded nearly 700 complaints about the sale of air conditioners on the government platform SignalConso. Reports primarily concerned delayed, missing or defective deliveries, as well as misleading business practices. According to the authority, numerous cases involve online orders from websites based or originating outside France.

The increase comes during an exceptionally hot summer. Météo-France recorded the year’s second extended heatwave from 4 to 19 July. Demand for portable cooling devices had already risen sharply during the heat period from 17 to 30 June. Supply shortages in retail prompted many consumers to search online for offers available at short notice. There, some retailers attract customers with low prices and lofty cooling claims.

The DGCCRF particularly warns against technically untenable advertising claims. An air conditioner removes heat from indoor air, which must then be discharged outside. Portable units therefore usually have one or two exhaust hoses. According to the authority, products without such a device are not air conditioners in the technical sense. They may function as a fan or air cooler, for example, but cannot achieve the same effect. Consumers should be wary if a compact device without an exhaust hose supposedly can effectively cool an entire room.

Buyers should also scrutinize unusually low prices before placing an order. The authority advises comparing offers within the same product category and searching online for complaints about the respective retailer. Unclear information about cooling capacity, delivery times, returns or warranties may indicate an unreliable offer. Particularly with foreign providers, it may also be more difficult to enforce claims or obtain a refund.

For checking an online shop, the DGCCRF lists several minimum criteria. The connection should be encrypted, indicated by the abbreviation https in the web address. Legal notices must also be available, identifying the responsible operator and its contact details. The absence of this information is not in itself proof of fraud, but it is a warning sign. Terms and conditions and withdrawal rights should also be checked before payment.

The DGCCRF is currently monitoring whether retailers describe their air conditioners correctly. Consumers can report suspicious advertising claims, delivery problems and disputes with sellers through SignalConso. The platform forwards reports to companies and competent authorities; repeated or serious violations may lead to further investigations.