Everyone like the comfort of online shopping. Typically, prices are lower than those at physical stores, deliveries are quick, and come with plenty of reviews to help us make informed decisions.
The platform is particularly enticing because, through data mining, it has a keen understanding of our preferences. There are several drawbacks to online shopping, even on reputable platforms. These issues become even more pronounced with those enticing pop-up ads that show up in your Browser, Facebook & Instagram feeds.
Before making an online purchase, compare different sellers and products. Additionally, keep records of your transactions, such as receipts and emails, to ensure you can hold the seller accountable for their promises.
While these targeted advertisements can be tempting, taking a moment to pause can be advantageous for several reasons.
Discover other people’s experiences!
Look up the product or company name online, along with terms like “complaint” or “scam.” Check out what others are saying about their experiences.
Reviews Can Be Misleading
When reviews are available, make sure to read the most recent ones. Occasionally, sellers might replace a highly rated product with a lower quality one, hoping you won’t notice.
Even a highly rated product can sometimes fall short of your expectations, and many popup stores have no reviews at all for either the store or the product.
Report Issues
If you encounter an issue while shopping online, attempt to resolve it directly with the seller or website owner.
“Whenever Possible, Pay with a Credit Card”
Using a credit card for purchases offers strong protection against fraud and other issues that may arise. When entering your payment information online, ensure that the websites you are using are secure. Check for “https://” at the beginning of the URL; the ‘s’ indicates that the site encrypts your data. However, be aware that just because a site is encrypted does not mean it is trustworthy, as scammers can also utilize encryption.
If you find yourself charged multiple times for the same item, billed for items you never received, or delivered incorrect or defective merchandise, you have the right to dispute the charge. In these cases, contact your credit card provider immediately and request a temporary hold on payment while they investigate the issue.
To effectively exercise your dispute rights, call them right away and also send a written notice that must reach them within 60 days from the date when they first mailed you the bill that displays the error. By being vigilant and knowing your rights, you can better protect yourself and your finances when shopping online.
Return & Refund Policies
If you purchase items on sale, make sure to double-check the return policies. Sellers often have different refund and return policies for sale items, particularly clearance merchandise.
The site should clearly state whether you can return the item for a full refund. Always check the specific return policy of the retailer where you made the purchase for the most accurate information.
Before returning an item, make it sure to find out:
What is the time frame for returning the item?
Are there any restocking fees you need to pay?
Who is responsible for the return shipping costs?
Let the online shopping begin.…