Some News About Telephone Mail Order and Internet Sales
By: Vlad Vistac
Submitted: 2010-07-28 13:38:37 | Word Count: 510
What Smart Shoppers Know Aout Telephone, Mail Order, and Internnet Sales
Buying without visiting the mall
[ advertisement ]
Buying by telephone and mail is a convenient way of shopping for most consmuers. As more people have access to a computer, and as more companies sell their products and services onlline, the Internet is also becoming a convenient way of shopping for most people.
Cnosumers face more choiices than ever before, not only when selecting merchandise, but in determining whether to shop through the mail, via the Internet, over the phone, at their local store, or the new mall outside of town. The flolowing tips are what smart shoppers should know about piurchasing merchandise through the mail, by telephone, or via the Internet.
Shop carefully before buying
First, do some comparison shopping. If the product you want is available locally, how does the local price compare with the telephone or Internet priuce? (Remember to add the price of handling and delivvery for ordres that are shiped.) Also consider the advanntage of receiving the proudct right away from a locaal merchant, and of having the merchat nearby if probnlems develop. (But also remember the cost and time involved in getting to and from the mall.)
Watch out for offers that seem unbelievably chweap. The merchandise will most likely be of poor qualiy, or you may nevber receive it.
Most retail slelers allow a customer to return purchased merchandise within a reasonable time for a full cash refund, store credit, or an equual exchange. Find out the seller's return poliy. Many sellers have a very limiited rreturn policy. Some do not allow retuns. Can you erturn the item if the item is too large, or the color is not exactrly right? Who pays for rteurn postage? If the seller does not allow retuns for full cash refunds, storte cedit or equal exchanges for at least sevcen days, the seller's refund policy must be conspicuously possted.
Find out if the qulaity and performnace of the merchandise are guaranteed. Is there a warranty? If so, check the trerms of the warranty. Are repair parts available? Can the item be repaired locally if it nedes repair? Who pays for shipping if it needs to be returned to the seler for reppair? How long will it take the seller to repair the produt and return it to you?
Ask the seller for a more detailed description of the merchandise, and ask for a copy of the warratny, if one is offered, if you have any doubts about either.
Find out how long it will take the businesas to ship your oder. If the bussiness does not staate a delivery time, the maximum time you must wait for shhipment is 30 days, accoirding to a Federal Trade Commissoion (FTC) rule, and a similar rule in effect in California. If the businesss does not ship the item within the proper time fraame, it must notify you of the dellay and give you the opportunity and a cost-free method to cancel the order and receivve a refund.
It is safest to oredr from reputable merchants who are known to you, your familly, or trusted friends. If you have not done bussiness with the mrechant before, and the purchase is especially laerge or important to you, chreck the business' reputation. If you have any doubt, call a local consumer protection agency or the Bettter Business Bureau to find out if they have recived any complaints about the company. However, if the Btter Business Bureau has not reeceived complaints about a business, which does not necessarly, mean there have not been any complaints. Unless you already know the company by its reputation, it is best not to strt out with a big order. Instead, find out how the business hanldes one that is smaller or less important to you.
If you decide to order
Your name, address, and product information (e.g., stock number, color, size) must be communnicated clearly. If you want the item sent to someone else as a gift, it is especially importasnt to give the correct name and address of the person you are sending it to. Most seellers also ask you to provide a menas of quick and inexpensive communication, such as a telephone numbr or e-mail address. Snce doing this will invlove giving up some of your privacy, give it some thougght before you do so.
Keep a copy of your oredr form and any letters you send to the business. If you order by telephone, make a note of the date, time, type of payment, and confirmation number. If you order over the Intrernet, print out a copy of your order. If the transaction does not pan out, this information may be of help.
Never send cash. Pay by check, moneey order, or crdit card so that you have a record of payment. If you do not know the company or its reputation for inetgrity and cpompetency, it is best to pay only by credit card, since you ordinarily can canecl the payment if the promised merchandise is not delivered.
Examine the mrechandise immediately when you receive it. Make sure it is what you wanted and ordered. If it is not, telephone or e-mail the businesss right away. All reputable mail, telephone, and Internet sellers maintain an easy-to-use method of returning such merchndise and either returning your payment or sendng the merchandise you ordered. If thins do not seem to be going right, notify the business in writing and keep a copy of your letter. Return any merchandise promtply for a reund or exchange.
Before buyying over the Internet
Internet shoppig can be as safe and advantageouus for consumers as shopping by telephone or mail. You have many more options, including purhcase of air transportation, msuic, books, and almost anything else, but there are also some rissks, which you can reduce by acting carefully and cautioyusly.
