Online retailers are sloppy in dealing with returned goods, with around one in four too slow in making refunds, according to research by the consumers association Consumentenbond.

The association ordered goods at 118 online shops and then returned them, with the request for a refund within 30 days.

One in four shops paid back the money too late, four did not make repayments at all and in 55% of cases delivery costs were not refunded even though they should be by law.

The association said the results were not a surprise, given the volume of complaints it receives about online shops.