Consumer Rights When Shopping Online

The ease and convenience of online shopping has drawn a number of devotees, creating a boon in the online marketplace. A simple click of a button allows shoppers to purchase nearly anything from the comfort of their own home, from car insurance to gourmet dinners. However, many consumers are unaware of their rights when purchasing goods and services online. If an item is damaged, defective, or does not meet the expectations under which it was sold, it is important to know what recourse you have in terms of return, replacement, or refund.

The most important step you can take to protect yourself when shopping online is to carefully research the retailer’s background and reputation before you make a purchase. Ensure that the marketer conducts all sales through a secure site to prevent your credit card and personal information from being used by identity thieves. In addition to this, carefully read the retailer’s privacy and security policies. If the site shares your information with outside parties, you may want to consider shopping with a more confidentiality conscious seller. Also, never share your social security number with any online business. If the merchant insists upon such information, your best option is to find another retailer.

Before purchasing the item, read the seller’s shipping policies and all associated costs. It is important that you know when to expect your merchandise and the expense of shipping the item. If your purchase does not arrive within the time period specified by the merchant, you will be better able to take the appropriate actions, either by canceling payment or stopping the order altogether.

Lastly, read the merchants policies on returns, refunds, or exchanges. Many sites are more than willing to ensure that you receive a quality product, but some sites have specific policies that do not allow returns. It is important to have an understanding of these terms before you ever decide to purchase the product from the retailer. If you are dissatisfied with your online shopping experience, there are some steps you can take to remedy the situation.

The Federal Trade Commission Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Trade Regulation Rule covers online purchases, as well as those made by phone or mail. According to this rule, a retailer must ship your product within the promised timeframe. If no specific timeframe was give, the shipment must arrive within 30 of placing your order. The retailer must also notify you of any delay in shipping your order. The FTC rule gives you the right to either wait for the shipment or to receive a refund. However, there may be some exceptions to these rules. You cannot cancel an order if you have signed documents waiving your right to cancel an order. Also, if you cannot return the product in the same condition in which you received it, the right to cancel may be forfeit. In some cases, you may feel that the merchant has defrauded you or misrepresented their product. If you feel that you have been the victim of online fraud, there are some steps you can take to report the incident to the proper authorities. First, contact your local or state consumer agency for assistance. You can also report instances of fraud to the Better Business Bureau at their online site. The FBI also has an Internet fraud complaint center located at ifccfbi.gov.

The best way to protect your consumer rights is to trust your instincts when shopping online. If a site seems suspicious, it is best to search for a more legitimate and reputable retailer. Thoroughly research a retailer’s sales policies before making a purchase and report any cases of deceit to the appropriate consumer protection agencies.