Nowdays, online shopping is becoming more and more common. We want your online experience to be safe and enjoyable, so we have collated some tips to help you when shopping online.
Try and shop with sites within your own Country. (This is not always possible, as the product may not be available in your Country).
Shopping within your own Country usually keeps freight costs down, as well as ensures retail laws to protect consumers can be enforced. It is very easy to get onto a website and not realise that its overseas, and this particular company does not ship to you. Go to their shipping information page or contact us page to clarify where they are.
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Only shop with stores that have a phone number (other than a mobile), and a physical street address. These days, it is easy and cheap to start a website. Fake sites used in scams can be look very professional.
Look up their contact details. If you are still unsure of their validity, check the details in other areas such as the telephone directory, business registers etc
Even utilising resources such as google maps, might give a street view of a premises to verify its existence. Whilst not foolproof (as the view may have been taken some time ago, it may give you further information).
Australian Businesses can be registered and have an ABN (Australian Business Number) on their site. You can check this by going to www.business.gov.au and search on ABN Look up.
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Check to see if your site has a verified Secure Payment system. Many sites can claim to be secure, but are not. (I, myself have fallen into this trap.)
If you are on a secure page, a 'key' or 'lock' icon will appear somewhere on your browser window, or the web address will begin with https//: (instead of just http//:).
Unfortunately scammers may be able to reproduce symbols to give you the impression that a fake website is secure. If you have doubts, it is safer not to proceed.
Look at alternative payment methods. eg Paypal, Money orders that are made out in the Business name etc
Too cheap to be true? There have been scams where really cheap deals are offered, just to get your credit card details. Again, try to verify a site before using them. Only buying a $5 item as a test, does not work if they are a scam, as they still have your credit card details.
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What happens if you are not happy?
Read the returns policy FIRST, before ordering.
At who's expense are goods returned if the item is faulty? If you bought an item from them, do they refund you for faulty goods, or do they send you off to the importer/manufacturer?
If you are not happy with your response from a store contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission. www.accc.gov.au for more information on what to do now.
If you have not used that particular online store, or it was not personally recommended, you may want to call them first. Check their site for operating hours.
If its always an answering machine, or calls are returned on a " private number", you may want to be wary. If and when you speak to them, ask them specifically, if the items you want are in stock.
Many sites only source stock AFTER you place your order. This can lead to delay, or only part of your order being fulfilled. (I have also been caught by this).
Ask them how they operate in regard to stock. Do they have it, or will they try and source it? If the latter, have they already processed your payment?
Refunds are sometimes hard to get from businesses that already have your money. What use is receiving only part of your order, when you had to pay the full delivery charge, and you do not get it in time?
Remember, you can report sites that you believe are misleading or dishonest to the Competition and Consumer Commission. You can also look on www.scamwatch.gov.au for information about scams etc.
We want dishonest/disreputable sites reported so that consumers can shop with confidence, not only with us, but all reputable sites. We know that it may be a hassle complaining over just a few dollars, but it may protect someone else.
We hope these tips help you when shopping online, as I have indicated, I have been caught out before and now are very wary of who I shop with. Personal referrals are always best, as testimonials can be made up, and don't forget, if you are happy, let others know!
