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Tips for safe on-line shopping
SOLUTION: FIVE SIMPLE TIPS FOR E-CUSTOMER PROTECTION
1. Send a Question The experienced on-line customers told e-Mail
Solutions to always send an e-mail first asking "what is your return
policy?" If the e-tailer doesn't answer within 24 hours, consumers should
buy somewhere else. Slow or "canned" responses are also warning signs that
a site might be overloaded with orders.
2. Look for Phone & Address Consumers also suggested clicking
on "Contact Us" to make sure the retailer clearly lists ways to reach the
company. The consumers bought elsewhere if they couldn't find three
essential facts: a phone number, an address with zip code, AND an e-mail
contact to resolve a product issue.
3. Pay by Credit Card Other consumers mentioned that several credit card
companies had helped them resolve problems with an e-tailer by halting
payment until the customer questions were answered.
4. Save Receipts & Packaging The consumers also reminded the group to
save all correspondence on the transaction in case a problem
arose. Similarly, the e-customers that had the best success in returns
were careful to send back the product with all packaging materials.
5. Promptly Return Products if Problems Surface Other successful
consumers stressed that they closely watched the 30-day return policy. If
their question hadn't been resolved within 25 days, they returned the
product and wrote on the return" I am returning this because my questions
were never answered."
Click here to see past shopping articles on safe shopping on-line.
For more information on safe on-line shopping, visit www.safeshopping.org.
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