Online Shopping Guide - GuideBuy.com

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Shopping Guide

Here's a list of tips you should consult when shopping online. Print this page and keep it in a handy place so it will be easy to review before you order.
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To Whom Can You Complain If You're Not Satisfied?

Do you know to whom to complain or contact if you are not satisfied or have a question?

Check the site for a customer service page, "contact us" link, e-mail address, or phone number to get your complaint addressed or questions answered. If you have a complaint, ask for what you think is fair - even if it's more than the legal terms stated. A merchant isn't forbidden from doing more than required to make the customer happy. If you still are not satisfied with the answers or action taken, contact the Better Business Bureau at http://bbbonline.org/consumer/complaint.asp (or telephone your local BBB office). or the Office of the State Attorney General in your state or the state where the seller is located. You can find all the state attorney general addresses on the website of the National Association of Attorneys General, www.naag.org. You may also fill out The Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Complaint Form which you will find at http://www.consumer.gov/. Click on "file a complaint." If your complaint is about a merchant located in another country, go to http://www.econsumer.gov/english/.

You may search for businesses that qualify for the BBBOnline Reliability and Privacy Seals on the Better Business Bureau website.

How Should You Keep Records About Your Purchase?

Keep Records.

What documents should you keep when purchasing online?

We suggest you retain the following records when shopping online:

A printout of the web pages indicating the seller's name, postal address, and telephone number;
A printout of the web pages describing the item(s) that you ordered;
A printout of the web pages or pop-up screens that provide the seller's legal terms;
Printouts of any e-mail messages (for example, confirmation messages) that you send to or receive from the seller. This includes:
- Those that might show that the seller indicated that the product would be suitable for the specific purpose for which you needed it,
- Those in which you notify the seller of problems with the merchandise that you have received; and
- Those that would show your good faith attempt to resolve with the merchant a charge that you do not feel should have been made to your credit card.
Notes or e-mail confirmations of any telephone conversations that you have with the seller.

If the current date does not appear on these printouts, you should add it in writing.

When Can I Expect Delivery Of The Item?

Is the seller complying with the 30-Day Rule?

A Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") rule provides that a seller who says that a product will be shipped within a certain time must reasonably believe it will. If the seller doesn't specify the time within which an item will be shipped, the seller must reasonably believe that it can be shipped within 30 days from the day the order is placed. If the seller can't ship the goods within the stated or 30-day deadline, the seller must notify you, and give you a chance to cancel your order and receive a refund. Or, the seller can just cancel your order and refund your money.

Violating these rules or regulations can expose a seller to legal action by the FTC, the Postal Service, and state law enforcement authorities. The FTC can assess penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation. These regulations do not apply to products ordered on a cash-on-delivery (C.O.D.) basis.

What Are The Legal Terms Of Your Purchase?

Terms

Where do you find the terms?

Different web sites have different ways of displaying legal terms; some ways are more conspicuous than others. You might find a link on the home page or order page to something like "Terms and Conditions" or "Legal Terms" or "Disclaimers." You may find that the "© 2005" at the bottom of a home page is such a link. Some "Terms and Conditions" apply to using the website, not to the terms for selling products. Also, the sale terms may not be available until you reach the page for ordering the product.

Some sites display legal terms on a screen which requires you to mouse-click on a button that says "OK" or "I agree" to the terms displayed on that screen If you aren't comfortable with the terms displayed, you should shop elsewhere. It is a good idea to print out the terms if you intend to buy.