What You Should Know About Buying On The Internet

Online shopping can be very convenient and fun but before clicking that buy now button - there are things that shoppers should know. We are offering the following information to help make your internet shopping more rewarding and hopefully, trouble free.

The following applies to all online venues that you shop:

After you have located an item that you feel you would like to purchase, always read the listing completely. If you have any questions at all, always contact the merchant before committing to buy the item.

Check the merchants feedback and / or endorsements before you make your purchase. Most multi-seller platforms such as Bonanzle, eBay, eCrater and etc. have a feedback system in place. This system can be helpful in gauging how trustworthy a seller is. Shoppers should be able to get a feel for the merchants ability to successfully complete their transaction.

Before you decide to make the purchase, be sure you understand the merchants Terms Of Service and all of their policies. Read through them and if you agree to them, make your purchase. If you do not agree to them, you should locate the item you want from a different merchant with terms that are agreeable to you. If you have any questions about their Terms Of Service, contact the merchant for the answer.

Most merchants include all of the information in their Terms Of Service and policies that a shopper needs to know to make an informed decision. Many times, merchants do not communicate with the buyer from the time of the order until delivery because they feel that the information was already provided. Some merchants will give the shopper a blow by blow report of each step of the process that the item has gone through. There are no hard and fast rules on communication but a merchant needs to be sure that all of the information the buyer needs is provided in some form or another. This helps keep expectations real.

Once you have done the above things and after everything checks out okay, you can make your purchase.

Secure Payments

When you pay for merchandise online, it is advisable to use a credit card. PayPal and Google Checkout offer buyers protection for their purchases but it is always good to also have your bank standing behind you. Rarely, the payment service won't side with the buyer during a dispute. That is when your bank is helpful.

If a problem should arise be sure not to let any time lines pass. With PayPal a buyer has 45 days from the date of purchase to open a dispute. With Google CheckOut, a shopper files a chargeback. The timeframe that a chargeback can be filed differs according to the card issuing banks policy.

A chargeback is done by calling your credit card issuer and asking them to intitiate a chargeback. This can be done when using either PayPal or Google Checkout when you have a dispute that you can't seem to resolve through the merchant first.

Many merchants will offer to accept checks and money orders. Please be aware that there is no real buyer protection for those transactions. We have found that it is unlikely that you will have issues with this type of payment but there is always a remote chance of finding a dishonest seller who would take advantage of the situation. You can always file a mail fraud complaint and a complaint with the FTC if you should have an issue after paying this way but it isn't very fruitful. We have learned from personal experience that once your complaint is filed, it goes into a file. Once that seller has some magic number of complaints (the number was never revealed to us), then action will be taken. If it is the only complaint, the file and the complaint just sits there and nothing is done.

After Payment

Allow a reasonable amount of time for your item to arrive. Take into account the information that was provided in the sellers Terms Of Service and policies and / or any correspondence you may have received from your seller.

Be patient. As bad as you may want your item, a merchant has to have time to process and package your order and then send it off. In the case of custom items, be sure to allow time for it to be created. It is not realistic to think that your item will be there in a day or two, especially if it is being shipped across the country.

The FTC allows sellers 30 days to ship but for the most part, you will not have to wait that long. Most merchants want to hurry your item to you as a part of their customer service. We feel that you should wait at least 21 days before becoming concerned.

If your package does not arrive, contact your seller. They may not know that there is an issue. If your package arrives damaged, contact your seller. The key to finding a remedy to any issues is communication with your your merchant. Allow them the opportunity to correct any issues before filing disputes, chargebacks or leaving feedback. We have found that most sellers will jump through hoops to satisfy their customers.

Most merchants online are very honest and they want you to feel cofident in their products and services. They know that the most important factor in their business is your satisfaction. Merchants hope that you become a repeat customer and / or share information about their store with your friends and family.

Here are some helpful links from the FTC:

A Consumer's Guide to E-Payments

Check 21: Substitute Checks, Electronic Processing, and What It Means to You

The Cooling-Off Rule: When and How to Cancel a Sale

Electronic Banking

Internet Auctions A Guide for Buyers and Sellers