Shopping on the Internet

There are a huge range of products available for purchase on the Internet, often at very competitive prices even when the cost of freight is factored in. Some retailers use your computer screen as their only shop window. and may sell direct from a warehouse. Many established retailers offer on-line buying facilities to complement their normal store trade.

When you buy over the internet it is obviously harder to judge the quality of a company or to seek redress if things go wrong. The following are some important things to consider when considering buying through the Internet:

• Selecting a site to buy from.
• Things to check before you buy.
• Things not to do when buying online.
• Paying for the goods.
• Where you can buy or sell online.

As well as buying on the Internet you can sell your own goods through the Internet. Make sure you check the laws in your area, as it is illegal to sell certain goods (such as alcohol) through the Internet without the appropriate licence.

Selecting a site to buy from

To protect yourself when buying over the internet, look for sites that have your interests in mind and include the following details in their marketing material:

• adequate address and contact details (phone, fax, email and street address (not just a PO Box number));
• itemised costs that would be incurred for the purchase of a particular item (including cost of the product/service, delivery, postage & handling).
• details about the security mechanisms for online payments;
• return, exchange, or refund policies;
• explain how you can lodge a complaint;
• specify which legal jurisdiction will apply to the transaction (ie the trader’s or the customer’s country or state), or which disputes resolution processes apply (eg, an Ombudsman Scheme or industry code);
• state what currency the purchase is in;
• state any restrictions or conditions that may apply to the purchase (such as geographic restrictions or parental/guardian approval requirements for minors); and
• have a privacy policy.

Things to check before you buy

You should check the following before you make a purchase from a site

1. Use a search engine to find other shops and compare prices and conditions.
2. Make comparisons with your local retail stores, but remember to take into account any extra costs (delivery, insurance, customs duty, sales tax, foreign exchange rates) you may incur with Internet purchases.
3. Phone or e-mail retailers directly and ask about the goods and services they provide when dealing with them for the first time.
4. Check the freight or delivery method and costs.
5. Check the legality of importing particular goods from overseas.
6. Monitor children's access, as some firms market directly to children.
7. Be wary of offers that appear too good to be true.

Things not to do when buying online

You should not do the following:

• deal with retailers who are evasive and won't give contact numbers or addresses;
• forget to print out your order before you send it;
• participate in pyramid selling schemes (sometimes under the guise of network marketing, chain letters, get rich quick schemes and home based employment opportunities) - they are illegal;
• rely only on one source of information; and
• give your bank details to any business.

Paying for the goods

Many Internet businesses allow you to use your credit card on-line to pay for products. Most internet shops will also let you fax or post your credit card details to them, or post a cheque or money order. As with any payment method, try to ensure that the business you are dealing with is reputable. The advantage of using credit cards is that some credit card companies reserve the right to reverse transactions if there is a disputed charge.

Only use your credit card for payment on-line if the retailer uses a secure payment system. Otherwise it is advisable to get your card number to the business by telephone or mail or to pay by cheque or money order.

If you do not have a credit card you can look into other Internet payment systems such as Pay Pal, which let you establish an account using another payment method and then use that account to pay for your purchases.

Major financial institutions are developing the Secure Electronic Transaction (SET) system using encryption technology to ensure that your personal and financial details are protected. SET is a common global standard for securing payment by credit cards over networks such as the internet.

Where you can buy or sell online

f you wish to sell or buy items anonymously online, there are a lot of excellent sites that provide you access to buyers and sellers in your community for goods and services.

The following are very popular sites to buy and sell online:

• Ebay is an auction site where you can buy or sell anything with ease and securely. Simply follow the instructions on the home page.
• Amazon is another very large consumer site dedicated to a range of products and services.