No Santa quality guarantee for online shoppers

Clicking away at a computer might be a smart way to avoid the chaos of shopping malls this Christmas, but there are risks to be aware of.

Consumer Protection wants shoppers to remain savvy this festive season and remember quality cannot be assumed when looking at products online.

‘‘It’s hard to assess the quality of products without physically seeing them and it’s harder again to judge the trustworthiness of a business just by visiting their website,’’ says Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s consumer protection manager, Mark Hollingsworth.

‘‘Do your homework on the online business you’re buying from – Google for online reviews and ask around.’’

At least 2 million New Zealanders shopped online in 2015, spending about $4.7 billion on 20.6m items, according to Nielsen.

The top five purchasing categories were airline tickets, fashion, entertainment, accommodation, and books.

December is the busiest month of the year for many retailers and Hollingsworth said it’s important to make sure your gifts will be delivered before the 25th.

‘‘Be wary of the seller sending you products that are of a lesser value or differ from their description,’’ he said.

‘‘If you’re buying goods from overseas, keep an eye on the exchange rates and delivery costs. These can fluctuate depending on the country.

‘‘Is the brand well known and reliable? Does the company website provide contact details and offer a secure payment system?’’

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act if you are delivered a faulty product from a business based in New Zealand you can return, exchange or get a replacement with the seller.

But the rules change if the business is based overseas. Consumer Protection recommended checking its website for terms and conditions including return, exchange or refund policies, complaints process, and any laws that apply.