For Buying Online

Use this checklist before clicking ‘Buy Now’

Seek details

While the online buying experience should be a positive one, as with anything bought sight unseen, remember the old adage, caveat emptor or ‘let the buyer beware’. To this end, ask dealers for as much detail as possible about an item, including pictures taken at different angles. Ask about dimensions, colour, condition and whether there are any visible signs of damage.

Understand payments and refunds

Some portals are fully transactional, such as 1stDibs and Vinterior, and offer purchase safeguards such as 1stDibs’ Buyer Protection Guaranteed scheme and Vinterior’s Guaranteed 14- days Return Guarantee. Others operate on a non- checkout basis, where direct payment is made from buyer to seller. In these cases, while the portal acts as a shopfront, it bears no legal responsibility regarding transactions if an item is damaged or not as described. Do check beforehand with individual dealers what their returns and refund process is, should it be necessary. Always check the small print on portals and refer to the Government’s Consumer Contracts Regulations legislation for more reassurance.

Check credentials

Professional umbrella bodies LAPADA (lapada.org) and BADA (bada.org) offer additional safeguards for items bought from their accredited dealers if things go wrong. LAPADA has a conciliation service that is open to anyone who has purchased from one of its members, while BADA states that in the unlikely event of a mistake in the description of an item it expects its members to make a full refund of the purchase price (it has a free arbitration service too).