Going Shopping? Go Global!A Guide for E-Consumers.
Shopping
online opens up a whole world of goods and
services. With the simple click of a computer mouse, you can order tulip bulbs
directly from Holland, exotic spices from Turkey or handwoven wall hangings
from Mexico or Morocco.
The World Wide Web has expanded the international
marketplace in a way never before possible, giving consumers unlimited choices.
But shopping electronically-especially when you're
dealing with vendors in other countries-opens up a whole world of questions.
Are the prices posted in U.S. dollars or some other currency? Does the company
ship internationally? How long will it take for an order to be delivered? Will
unexpected taxes or duties be added to the price? If there's a problem, where
can you get it resolved?
The Federal Trade Commission offers these tips
to help you when you "go global":
Know who you're dealing
with.
Do some homework to make sure a company is legitimate before doing business
with it. Identify the company's name, its physical address, including the
country where it is based, and an e-mail address or telephone number, so
you can contact the company with questions or problems. And consider dealing
only with vendors that clearly state their policies. Is the company affiliated
with industry groups, seal programs or other self-regulatory programs you
trust?
Know what you're buying.
Look for accurate, clear and easily accessible information about the goods
or services being offered, and contact the company to clear up any questions
before you place an order.
Understand the terms,
conditions and costs involved in the sale.
Find out up front what you're getting for your money-and what you're not.
Get a full, itemized list of costs involved in the sale, with a clear designation
of the currency involved, terms of delivery or performance, and terms, conditions
and methods of payment.
Look for information about restrictions, limitations or conditions of the
purchase; instructions for proper use of products, including safety and
health care warnings; warranties and guarantees; cancellation,
return, or refund policies; and the availability of after-sale service.
Protect yourself when
paying online.
Look for information posted online that describes the company's security
policies, and check whether the browser is secure and encrypts your personal
and financial information during online transmission. That makes the information
less vulnerable to hackers.
Look out for your privacy.
All businesses require information about you to process an order. Some use
it to tell customers about products, services or promotions, but others
share or sell the information to other vendors-a practice with which you
may not be comfortable.
Shop only from online vendors that respect your privacy. Look for the vendor's
privacy policy on the web site. The policy statement should reveal what
personal identifying information is collected about you and how it will
be used, and give you the opportunity to refuse having your information
sold or shared with other vendors. It also should tell you whether you can
correct or delete information the company already has about you.
Understand what recourse
you have if you run into problems with your purchase.
Do business only with companies that state their commitment to customer
satisfaction and their policy to resolve consumer complaints or difficulties
quickly and fairly, without imposing excessive charges or inconvenience.
Get smart about e-commerce.
Demand consumer-friendly policies and procedures.
Look for information from businesses, consumer representatives and governments
about your rights and responsibilities when you participate in international
electronic commerce. Take an active role in advancing an electronic marketplace
that promotes fair and effective policies and procedures that protect businesses
as well as consumers.
A Checklist Is the business you're buying from "consumer-friendly"
for international e-commerce?
Does Its Web Site Clearly Disclose
Information:
About
the Company:
what kind of business it is and
what it sells?
where it is located, including
the country?
how you can contact the business?
About the Product or Service:
what's being sold, with enough
details for you to know exactly what you're buying?
the cost of the product or service,
and the currency used?
About the Sale:
the costs, in addition to the
price of the product or service, if any, like costs for shipping
and handling, taxes and duties?
any restrictions or limitations
on the sale?
any warranties or guarantees?
the availability of convenient
and safe payment options?
an estimation of when you will
receive the order?
About
its Consumer Protections:
the opportunity for you to print
or save a record of the transaction?
safeguards for protecting your
payment information when it is transmitted online?
policies on what personal identifying
information is being collected about you, what the company does
with it and whom it shares it with?
an opportunity for you to "opt
out" of having information about yourself collected?
policies on sending unsolicited
email, including an option for you to decline these offers?
the return policy, including an
explanation of how you can return an item, get a refund or credit
or make an exchange?
where you should call, write or
email with complaints or problems?
This
is a mall, and like any mall each store is responsible for its own sales and
services.
Each store has its own secured transaction
area and a well established reputation in their business niche.
For any problems you encounter with a store
please call or email that individual store.
For any concerns dealing with this website
(technical or otherwise) please feel free to use our feedback
form.
