If it's not right, use your rights
But what are they?
Where do you go to find out?
What happens if I buy from overseas?
Online shopping is a labyrinth of laws. In Commerce we're going to look at:
Where do you go to find out?
What happens if I buy from overseas?
Online shopping is a labyrinth of laws. In Commerce we're going to look at:
- How we use e-commerce and what advantages and disadvantages it throws up.
- When we're shopping online :
- how safe are our purchases and payments online −
- how can we make payments securely over the internet −
- what are some of the domestic or international laws that provide protection −
- and how much protection is provided and where can we go if we're not happy?
What is online shopping?
What kind of consumer are you?
Use the mindmap to reflect on what your purchases are and where they come from.
Why shop online?
There are many advantages to shopping online. Read through this list and choose your TOP 5. Can you explain why these are most important to you?
- Instant access to a wide range of information sources around the world: it requires less time and effort in locating information.
- Convenient 24 hours a day, 7 days a week availability: you can do transactions when it suits you.
- Comparison shopping is made easier: you can quickly compare prices and features of a range of products.
- Can access up-to-date information: information is updated on a regular basis which makes consumer decisions easier.
- Email makes follow-up contact easier: the follow-up is not restricted to working hours and you don't have to travel to the store or sit in a phone queue waiting to speak to a store representative.
- Faster and cheaper than traditional research methods: time-consuming travel or costly research methods can be superseded by a few mouse-clicks.
- Information can combine text, graphics and pictures: this makes it easier for consumers to choose between products.
- Information can be easily stored for future reference: there is less paper to dig through when you need to find information later.
- Businesses can sell to a worldwide market: this increases buying opportunities.
It might not all be plain sailing...
Here's just some disadvantages. Write in your notes the one's you didn't know before.
- Sometimes there can be too much irrelevant information on a site: this can make research difficult and time-consuming.
- Can be time-wasting, due to inadequate research skills: research requires skills to locate and identify relevant information.
- Difficult to verify the accuracy and integrity of information: information may need to be cross-referenced in order to validate its accuracy and integrity.
- Proliferation of scams and internet fraud: this makes it harder to make decisions regarding the use of online businesses that you have not used before.
- Websites may not be regularly updated: information may not be up-to-date, and could thus be misleading.
- Distractions caused by on-screen (pop-up) advertisements: this can lead to impulse shopping or time-wasting.
- Can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between advertisements and articles: a number of persuasive selling techniques are adopted which makes it harder to make wise consumer choices.
- Cost of computer purchase and installation: this may also involve a monthly fee for internet usage as well as frequent updates.
- Damaged caused by viruses: this can make internet purchasing unsafe and you can lose information regarding your purchases.
- Data overload due to unsolicited emails (spam): it can be time-consuming to determine and delete the vast amounts of spam sent each day.
Quick fact
How is shopping on the internet: similar to traditional shopping AND different from traditional shopping?
HERE'S SOME IDEAS... Shopping on the internet is similar to traditional shopping in the sense that consumers have to consider from which company they should purchase the product or service. They also have to select the desired product, and pay for it. Shopping on the internet is different from traditional shopping because consumers cannot see the products in real life before conducting the purchase. The purchased goods are also delivered to consumers' homes and there is no personal contact with the business. |
If it's too good to be true, it probably is!
Protecting your online shopping rights
Head to the ACCC link and find out about how to protect yourself against scammers.
1. How can you best avoid getting ripped off when shopping online?
2. Write out your golden rule for shopping online.
3. Make a TOP 10 LIST to check before shopping on the internet. Think about:
(a) What details of the business should you check?
(b) What information will be contained in the contract?
(c) Apart from the cost of the good, what extra costs might you be charged?
(d) How can you tell if the site is secure?
4 What sort of risks might you be taking when you buy from a supplier on the internet?
5 What does the expression ‘If something seems too good to be true — it probably is’ mean?
6 Why would an online shopper want to use an escrow account facility?
7 Why do you think eBay™ offers the PayPal facility to online buyers and sellers?
Here's some good advice!
Here are five simple precautions recommended when shopping online:
- Carefully read the item description. Note the information provided about postage costs, delivery charges, and details of the item, and e-mail the seller if you have any questions.
- Get to know your seller. Check ratings and feedback for seller.
- Pay safely. Choose a safe payment option such as PayPal or pay-on-pickup.
- Never pay with Western Union. Instant money transfer is a convenient way for scam business to get money from innocent buyers. Always choose a safe payment option.
- Protect yourself. Know your rights!