TOP TRENDS AFFECTING CONSUMERS IN 2017
THESE DAYS, consumers are only a click away from agreeing to a contract or buying something online. Consumer Protection BC has identified three key transactions. The following is the second article in a three-part series.
TREND #2: RETAIL THERAPY CONTINUES TO MOVE ONLINE
How often do you shop online? Forester Research is predicting that Canadians will spend $39 billion online by 2019, representing 9.5 per cent of all retail purchases in Canada. Whether you’re booking your next vacation or buying a newly released novel, make sure you stay savvy as an online shopper. Here are five questions to ask yourself before you buy: 1. Does the company have a good track record with good online reviews? Do your research and shop with a reputable company. Do you know anyone who has shopped there before and how was their experience? You may also want to check their rating on the web to read other consumer feedback.
2. Is the URL “https”?
When you’re shopping online, make sure you are on ‘https’ sites. Websites with “s” give you a layer of protection which is important for online security. Also, don’t store your credit card information on websites, it may put you at risk of your information being compromised.
3. What is the currency and total cost of the purchase?
Verify the cost of the product or service, type of currency (US, Canadian or other), and shipping and handling charges. Note that companies are required to tell you what currency they are using. Also, don’t forget about the cost of duty and taxes.
4. How and when will your purchase be shipped and delivered?
If you are shopping for holiday or birthday gifts or you’re on a time crunch for some reason, check the delivery dates as they can sometimes take weeks to get to you. Remember, if it’s an international order, your package could be opened at the border for inspection.
5. What are the company’s policies on refunds, returns and warranties?
Check their return, refund and exchange policy and read the fine print. If this is not clearly listed on the website, contact them and ask.
Asking yourself these questions can greatly reduce the likelihood that you’ll end up with a problem transaction on your hands. However, if you have recently walked away from a consumer transaction and something just doesn’t feel right, you can contact Consumer Protection BC to try to find a solution. We have the authority to deal with some laws in British Columbia and we also know if another organization or option is better suited to help you (such as court or legal assistance). Either way, we will do our best to help you figure out the best avenue to take. Connect with us at: www.notright.ca.