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How to shop safely online |
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Here's a fact that newcomers to the country will find interesting:
Canadians love to shop on the Internet. Canadian households spent just
over $3 billion shopping on the Internet on everything from airplane
tickets to books, according to the most recent Household Internet Use
Survey (HIUS). Given the growing popularity of online shopping, it is
important for people, especially newcomers who aren't used to buying
over the Net, to choose wisely before making that purchase.
Online shopping is different from shopping at your local mall — you
can't talk to the merchant, touch the product you want to buy or keep
an eye on your credit card information. Here are some tips to help you
and your family shop safely online.
Who you are dealing with
Ensure you can find the merchant's name, address, and telephone and fax
numbers on its Web site so you know who to contact for more
information. Check the Web site for quality assurance certificates or
seals.
What you are buying
You can't touch, try on or test anything you buy online, so you have to
rely on what merchants tell you. Look for Web sites that offer plenty
of detailed information about the products or services you want to buy.
Do you know the total cost of your purchase?
Are there shipping and handling fees, taxes or duties on top of the
purchase price? What currency is being used? Most sites (including
Canadian) that cite a dollar value are talking about US dollars. When
in doubt, get in touch with the company.
What you are agreeing to
Online merchants should provide you with a copy of the terms and
conditions of sale in plain language. Read the information carefully so
you know what you are agreeing to when placing your order. Ensure there
is a clear description of the goods or services you are buying, as well
as the full price.
Know how you would go about changing or cancelling your order. Find out
about the payment methods, delivery options, guaranties and warranties,
and what options you have if you don't receive your order.
What you can do when you are not happy with your purchase
What is the company's return policy (money back or credit)? Does the
merchant's Web site include a fair and simple process for handling
complaints, concerns and inquiries? Is it clear who is responsible for
after-sales service?
Whether your kids are surfing safely
Your kids may be receiving junk e-mail (spam) linking them to offensive
or fraudulent sites. Further, companies often obtain marketing
information from contests and games targeted at children. Make sure you
know what sites your children are visiting on the Internet and what
information they are receiving and sharing with others.
What the business does with the information it collects from you
Many merchants use your information to develop marketing profiles, or
sell their mailing lists to others. Before doing this, companies should
ask for your consent. Reputable merchants will always publish their
privacy policy. When the company doesn't have a policy, or you are not
comfortable with the policy or with providing the information
requested, think twice before buying anything.
Whether the payment system is secure
Before providing your credit card number or other financial
information, make sure the merchant has a secure transaction system.
Most Internet browsers indicate when you are using a secure Internet
link. Look for one or both of these clues:
- an icon, often a lock, at the bottom of the screen, which should be in the locked position
- whether the Web site address begins with https:// (not http://) — the 's' indicates that the site is secure.
Online auctions
Online auctions can be risky. Verify who is selling the item. Know what
you're buying, and get a description of the item in writing in case the
product does not meet your expectations.
When you are buying from a private individual, consumer protection laws
do not protect you. Read the rules of the auction site — better sites
will keep records of customer satisfaction and should also have dispute
resolution mechanisms.
Buying internationally
Remember, buying internationally involves more risk. When calculating
the price, factor in shipping and handling costs, taxes, duty and
currency conversions. Ask about warranties. Check that products meet
Canadian product safety standards.
Some good indicators of fraud
- Any offer that sounds too good to be true.
- Any promise of a valuable prize in return for a low-cost purchase.
- Any offer that requires you to send money before you get the special deal or loan.
Check the following websites for more information.
Information for this article was sourced from Statistics Canada and
provincial and territorial ministries responsible for consumer affairs
and the Office of Consumer Affairs at Industry Canada.
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