Consumer Traps & Tips—Online Ordering

For immediate release: December 1, 2008
Contact: Dennis Moore PBC Consumer Affairs Division, (561) 712-6600

Trap
Jacqueline wanted shoes for the company holiday party. She searched online for a Boca Raton-based boutique and found the shoes she wanted for just $399. She purchased the item with a few mouse clicks. When the package arrived, the shoes didn’t look like the pair she saw on the Web site and they didn’t fit.

Immediately, she went to the boutique’s Web site to check the return policy. She discovered that not only was the company not located in Boca (only the billing department was), but the return needed some kind of an authorization code and she had to pay for return shipping. The last straw was the 40 percent restocking fee! When she called the company’s phone number, the recording said, “mailbox full.”

Tips
Online purchases dramatically increase during the holiday season. With just a quick mouse click, you can shop from your seat instead of on your feet. Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping online:

• Deal only with reliable, well-established and well-known businesses.
• Be sure the company’s physical address and telephone number (a local number in the city of origin is better) are displayed prominently on the Web site.
• Call the business directly to see what kind of customer service they have. Get a good understanding when the order will be shipped.
• Check and understand the return policy.
• Make online payments with a credit card – not your debit card.
• Check for shipping/handling charges and print copies of each page you enter information on and the transaction confirmation which may be e-mailed to you.

If you need more information call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600 or visit www.pbcgov.com/consumer to see if other consumers have filed complaints against the company you are considering.