Here are a few tips to ensure your online shopping experience is safe and pleasurable. By following the recommended steps you can easily avoid any potential pitfalls in the process.
Before you buy.
Make a note of the company's contact details, including a street address and landline telephone number. Never rely on just an email address or a post office box.
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. It should be quite clear if you are expected to pay any extra costs and VAT should be included in the price quoted.
Paying for goods online.
It may be worth paying by credit card. If the goods or services you are buying cost over £100 and you pay by credit card, you may 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.
Top tips.
Make sure that the web address of the page starts https:// before you enter any personal information or payment details. The 's' stands for 'secure'. There should also be a small padlock that appears in the bottom of your screen.
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.
What to do if things go wrong?
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.