Online Shopping Tips

Before you buy...
Before buying, make a note of the company's full contact details including the street address and a landline telephone number (not a mobile number). You should never rely on just an email address. You should also remember that you may have to pay for shipping costs, customs duty, VAT, etc. All these hidden costs can push up the price of the goods or service so check the full price first before buying. All reputable websites will give you the option to empty your shopping cart at any stage and will display the full price, including tax, shipping, handling etc BEFORE you submit your credit card information to them. It should be made quite clear by the merchant if you are expected to pay any extra costs and VAT should be included in all prices quoted.

Pay by credit card...
Paying by credit card offers maximum protection when you by online. If the goods or services you are buying cost over £100 and you pay by credit card, you could very well be protected by the Consumer Credit Act. This states that the credit card company is equally liable for any defects. Therefore, should a problem arise, you can claim EITHER from the trader OR from the credit card company. Note that for this protection to apply, the contract price must be over £100. For example, if you buy a suit, the jacket of which costs £75 and the trousers cost £40, you would have protection. However, if you bought the items separately instead of as one suit, you would not be afforded the same protection as neither of the items amount to £100.

Always check your order thoroughly, especially if the company you are buying from is based outside the EU. For example, a guarantee may not be valid in the UK, or the goods may not work in the UK. Although UK law may cover your contract, in practice it might be very difficult to get any money out of a company based abroad!

*IMPORTANT
Make sure that the web address of the page where you are entering your credit card details starts https:// The 's' stands for 'secure'. There should also be a small padlock that appears in the bottom right hand side of your screen.

Keep a record...
Always print out a copy of your order and a copy of the acknowledgement that you should receive. Always check your bank statements carefully if you purchase something on the Internet. You should never be asked to tell anyone your card's PIN number - even if they claim to be from your bank or the police. Never send your PIN number to anyone over the Internet.

Remember, if you buy goods on the Internet, you still have the same rights as if you were shopping on the high street, in relation to faulty or poorly described goods. In addition, you are entitled to a seven working-day 'cooling off' period.

Internet auction sites...
Internet auction sites offer a tempting shop window with a wide range of merchandise, ready to buy at the click of a button. For sellers, they offer an easy way to advertise and sell their goods. But before you bid, do you know your rights?

Many people who advertise goods for sale on internet auction sites are private sellers. There may be little difference from those who place classified ads in newspapers. As a buyer, you may not really know whom you are dealing with or where they are based. So be wary. You have fewer rights when you buy privately, whether through a small ad in a newspaper or at an internet auction. In a private sale, the goods must be as described, but a seller who is not acting as a business is not covered by the rules on satisfactory quality and fitness for purpose.

If you have a problem, it could be harder to get it put right than if you bought from a shop. Some auction websites like Ebay offer complaints resolution processes or anti-fraud guarantees. Not all do though, so read the terms and conditions. The obligations which the website has to you are likely to be limited. If the person selling goods on an internet auction site is a business or trader, you retain your consumer rights relating to faulty or misdescribed goods, but you do not have the benefit of the cooling off period.

Check the seller's reputation. Most auction sites post feedback ratings of sellers based on comments by other buyers. Ask questions before you bid; eg what is the returns policy? A good seller will always welcome enquiries. Do your homework.Check the description, type of model and retail price of the goods. Be wary: if the price is too good to be true, it usually is. If it's a collectable item, take steps to confirm it is authentic.

Before you bid, find out what form of payment the seller will accept. If it's only cheques or money orders, decide whether you are willing to take the risk of sending your payment before you receive the product. If possible, you should use a credit card (check your details are protected) because it offers the most protection if there's a problem.

Before you submit a price think carefully. Know how much you are willing to pay, stick to it, and think whether you are getting value for money. Once a price is accepted, you will be expected to pay.

Read the small print. Is postage included in the price? How will the goods be posted? Do you need extra insurance? Is the seller based in the UK? If not what action can you take if things go wrong?

Enjoy the flexibility e-shopping gives you, but be sensible and know the risks