Sneak into basket
Donation added without a deliberate choice
A fictional grocery service inserts a €2 charity donation into the basket when the shopper chooses a delivery slot, without showing a selection control.
Individual HTML example · Sneaking
Removed accessory returns after cart refresh
A fictional store adds a cable bundle to a laptop order, lets the shopper remove it, then silently restores it when the delivery postcode changes.
This is an original fictional comparison. It depicts no real company and is not a legal finding or safe harbour.
Removed accessory returns after cart refresh
A fictional store adds a cable bundle to a laptop order, lets the shopper remove it, then silently restores it when the delivery postcode changes.
Updated order · €829. The €30 cable bundle returns after a postcode edit.. Accessory restored. Add cable bundle €30
Updated order · €799. The shopper’s removal persists through recalculation.. Amount affected: €30: Add cable bundle €30. Add cable bundle €30. Accessory restored. Payable total and selected items, expanded: The summary shows the line items and total before “Add cable bundle €30” is activated.
Why the first version can mislead: The final commercial state diverges from the choice represented earlier in the journey. The problematic state records: “The €30 cable bundle returns after a postcode edit.” Review the timing and affirmative selection needed before “Accessory restored” changes price, product or recurring liability. A removed item can re-enter the transaction and create an unintended charge.
What a fairer design does: Persist removal across all cart updates and require a new deliberate add action before restoring an accessory.
Show annotated differences (2)
Potentially problematic version
- Add cable bundle €30In “Removed accessory returns after cart refresh”, this element shows how sneak into basket can shape the decision.
Neutral alternative
- Payable total and selected items, expanded: The summary shows the line items and total before “Add cable bundle €30” is activated.In “Removed accessory returns after cart refresh”, this element keeps the clearer alternative visible at the same decision point.
Review questions (3)
- Which affirmative action authorises “Accessory restored”, and where is the resulting price, product or recurring state shown before commitment?
- Compare the basket before and after the action, including total and line items; does the mutation satisfy “No preceding deliberate action specifically selected that item or quantity”?
- Which specific affirmative event creates the final commercial state, and could “user-selected bundle whose included items were clearly disclosed” explain the observed outcome instead?
Complete pattern context
How this example relates to Sneak into basket
A paid or consequential item is added to a basket or transaction without a clear, deliberate and specific user choice. The label describes a recurring design mechanism; whether a particular implementation is harmful or unlawful depends on the complete journey, audience, evidence and rules within scope.
The full guide explains inclusion and exclusion criteria, harms, fair design principles, evidence questions and the relevant EU legal information layers. The example page isolates one scenario so it can be shared and discussed without reproducing the complete library on one page.
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Selected basic fare changes at confirmation
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Sources and provenance for this example
Evidence base
Sources
- Dark commercial patternsOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development · Secondary · checked 2026-09-14 · OECD Digital Economy Papers No. 336
- Unfair Commercial Practices DirectiveEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Directive 2005/29/EC; CELEX 02005L0029-20220528