NOW THAT’S A BIT RICH

DUD ONLINE PURCHASE ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU THE SHEETS

I recently purchased sheets online from one of those bargain, deal of the week websites.

It was advertised as a “1000 thread count, cotton rich queen-size sheet set” – a bargain you would think at $50, but not so much a bargain it turns out.

It transpires that “cotton rich” is a cheap polyester/cotton mix, an inferior quality that can be purchased at any major retail outlet for around half of that price.

I won’t bore you with the details, but I’m still battling for a refund, so I have decided to treat the whole sorry episode as an online retail lesson.

In Australia, we are all protected by the ACCC who do a fantastic job in most cases to ensure our consumer rights are enforced. You can contact the ACCC via their website, accc.gov.au

The No. 1 thing to know when you buy online in Australia – from an Australian retailer – is you have the exact same consumer rights as you would buying from a bricks and mortar store.

When you purchase from an overseas-based business, they can be more difficult to deal with, although it’s always worth pursuing for a refund or exchange, as many online businesses would want to preserve their reputation.

It is a good idea to research, compare prices and, if you can, only buy from online retailers based in Australia.

Tips for buying online:

■ Research to compare prices and if you can, only buy from online retailers based in Australia.

■ Ensure there are no hidden costs, such as excessive postage charges.

■ Before committing to buying, check that the site is secure. It should have a padlock symbol and an address starting with https://

■ If you are asked for your bank PIN or password do not provide these details and report them to the ACCC.