Have you checked for updates?
If you frequently access a web page, you may be seeing outdated pricing or old inventory information. The reason: Some Internet browsers, that is, a program such as Mozilla Firefox™ or Microsoft Internet Explorer®, save frequently-accessed pages. Check whether the seller indicates when the information was last updated. To insure you're seeing the latest version, use your browser's "reload" and "refresh" capabilities available under the "View" menu to update the page you're viewing.
If you frequently access a web page, you may be seeing outdated pricing or old inventory information. The reason: Some Internet browsers, that is, a program such as Mozilla Firefox™ or Microsoft Internet Explorer®, save frequently-accessed pages. Check whether the seller indicates when the information was last updated. To insure you're seeing the latest version, use your browser's "reload" and "refresh" capabilities available under the "View" menu to update the page you're viewing.
What are you buying?
Be aware that some claims are just someone's opinion and the consumer has no legal claim if it is not true. For example, if the seller claims: "This is the best book ever written on this topic," that is merely an opinion. However, you may have a legal case if an item that you buy does not conform to the seller's specific description. For example, if the seller's e-mail or web page states that the book is 1,000 pages long and published last year, you may have a legal claim if the book that's delivered is half that long and ten years old.
Be aware that some claims are just someone's opinion and the consumer has no legal claim if it is not true. For example, if the seller claims: "This is the best book ever written on this topic," that is merely an opinion. However, you may have a legal case if an item that you buy does not conform to the seller's specific description. For example, if the seller's e-mail or web page states that the book is 1,000 pages long and published last year, you may have a legal claim if the book that's delivered is half that long and ten years old.
Shopping for the lowest price?
Some web sites offer an "electronic agent" to identify the sites that charge the lowest price for a specified product. Electronic agents are typically used on travel websites (hotels, air fare, car rental, etc.), but other comparison-shopping sites use them as well. Be aware that some sellers have taken technological steps to block these "agents" from gathering pricing data. In addition, "agent" sites might not take shipping costs or return/refund policies into account when comparing the prices.
Does the price of the product seem reasonable to you?
Whether the product is being sold as new or used, be suspicious of prices that are too good to be true. Also, consider carefully whether you may be paying too much for an item, particularly if you're bidding through an auction site. You may want to comparison-shop, online or offline, before you buy.
What are the shipping costs?
Shipping and handling costs vary widely on the web and, for cheaper items, may be almost as much as the cost of the product. Check to see if these costs are included in the price. Make sure you know what the shipping and handling charges are before you complete the sale, and consider them in making "price" comparisons. Check to make sure that you are not paying a premium for rush shipping unless you really want something quickly and are willing to pay the extra cost.
Some web sites offer an "electronic agent" to identify the sites that charge the lowest price for a specified product. Electronic agents are typically used on travel websites (hotels, air fare, car rental, etc.), but other comparison-shopping sites use them as well. Be aware that some sellers have taken technological steps to block these "agents" from gathering pricing data. In addition, "agent" sites might not take shipping costs or return/refund policies into account when comparing the prices.
Does the price of the product seem reasonable to you?
Whether the product is being sold as new or used, be suspicious of prices that are too good to be true. Also, consider carefully whether you may be paying too much for an item, particularly if you're bidding through an auction site. You may want to comparison-shop, online or offline, before you buy.
What are the shipping costs?
Shipping and handling costs vary widely on the web and, for cheaper items, may be almost as much as the cost of the product. Check to see if these costs are included in the price. Make sure you know what the shipping and handling charges are before you complete the sale, and consider them in making "price" comparisons. Check to make sure that you are not paying a premium for rush shipping unless you really want something quickly and are willing to pay the extra cost.
Authenticity
How do you know your product is authentic?
Is the seller offering a real brand-name item, or just a replica? Review the site for a guarantee of the product's authenticity. If the site is an auction site, you will probably have to rely on the person or organization which is selling the product. Check the terms and conditions of the auction website and those of the seller. Some auctions may offer, for a price, limited insurance.
Is the seller offering a real brand-name item, or just a replica? Review the site for a guarantee of the product's authenticity. If the site is an auction site, you will probably have to rely on the person or organization which is selling the product. Check the terms and conditions of the auction website and those of the seller. Some auctions may offer, for a price, limited insurance.
Check Your Order
Have you checked the item number and amount?
Double check the online form after typing in your order. It's easy to order "22" rather than "2" of an item if your finger stays on the keyboard a little too long.
Many electronic order forms will tell you the total price of your order before you buy. Pay attention to that total price so you can crosscheck the items and quantity. Also, check any confirmation e-mail that you receive from the seller. If it doesn't agree with what you wanted, immediately notify the seller by e-mail or telephone.
Can you cancel your order?
Some websites offer the right to cancel your order electronically even after it is placed if you act within the short time indicated. If you do not act within that time, you should consult the seller's "return" policy and comply with it. Some return policies advise that if the box is not opened, the seller will pay the return postage.
Double check the online form after typing in your order. It's easy to order "22" rather than "2" of an item if your finger stays on the keyboard a little too long.
Many electronic order forms will tell you the total price of your order before you buy. Pay attention to that total price so you can crosscheck the items and quantity. Also, check any confirmation e-mail that you receive from the seller. If it doesn't agree with what you wanted, immediately notify the seller by e-mail or telephone.
Can you cancel your order?
Some websites offer the right to cancel your order electronically even after it is placed if you act within the short time indicated. If you do not act within that time, you should consult the seller's "return" policy and comply with it. Some return policies advise that if the box is not opened, the seller will pay the return postage.
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