Do some homework to make sure a company is legitimate

before doing business with it. Identify the companys name,

its physical address, including the country where it is based,

and an email address or telephone number, so you can

contact the company with questions or problems. And

consider dealing only with vendors that clearly state their

policies. Is the company affiliated with industry groups, seal

programs or other self-regulatory programs you trust?

2. Know what you’re buying. Look for accurate, clear and easily accessible information

about the goods or services being offered, and contact the

company to clear up any questions before you place an

order.

S

hopping online opens up a whole world of goods and services. With the simple click of a computer

mouse, you can order tulip bulbs directly from Holland, exotic spices from Turkey or handwoven wall

hangings from Mexico or Morocco.

The World Wide Web has expanded the international marketplace in a way never before possible, giving

consumers unlimited choices.

But shopping electronicallyespecially when youre dealing with vendors in other countries

opens up a whole world of questions. Are the prices posted in U.S. dollars or some other

currency? Does the company ship internationally? How long will it take for an order to be

delivered? Will unexpected taxes or duties be added to the price? If theres a problem,

where can you get it resolved?

The Federal Trade Commission offers these tips to help you when you go global:

A Guide for E-Consumers

Federal Trade Commission Toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP

 www.ftc.gov For the Consumer

1. Know who you’re dealing with.

Going Shopping?

Go Global!

?
3. Understand the terms, conditions

and costs involved in the sale.

Find out up front what youre getting for your moneyand what

youre not. Get a full, itemized list of costs involved in the sale,

with a clear designation of the currency involved, terms of delivery or performance, and terms, conditions and methods of payment.

Look for information about restrictions, limitations or conditions

of the purchase; instructions for proper use of products, including

safety and health care warnings; warranties and guarantees; cancellation or refund policies; and the availability of after-sale

service.

4. Protect yourself when paying

online.

All businesses require information about you to process an order.

Some use it to tell customers about products, services or promotions, but others share or sell the information to other vendorsa

practice with which you may not be comfortable.

Shop only from online vendors that respect your privacy. Look for

the vendors privacy policy on the web site. The policy statement

should reveal what personal identifying information is

collected about you and how it will be used, and give

you the opportunity to refuse having your information

sold or shared with other vendors. It also should tell you

whether you can correct or delete information the company already has about you.

6. Understand what recourse you

have if you run into problems

with your purchase.

Do business only with companies that state their commitment to

customer satisfaction and their policy to resolve consumer complaints or difficulties quickly and fairly, without imposing excessive charges or inconvenience.

7. Get smart about e-commerce.

Demand consumer-friendly

policies and procedures.

Look for information posted online that describes the companys

security policies, and check whether the browser is secure and

encrypts your personal and financial information during online

transmission. That makes the information less vulnerable to

hackers.

5. Look out for your privacy.

Look for information from businesses, consumer representatives

and governments about your rights and responsibilities when you

participate in international electronic commerce. Take an

active role in advancing an electronic marketplace

that promotes fair and effective policies and

procedures that protect businesses as

well as consumers.

privacy policy
A Checklist

Is the business you’re buying from “consumer-friendly” for international e-commerce?

Does Its Web Site Clearly Disclose Information:

About the Company:

✔ what kind of business it is and what it sells?

✔ where it is located, including the country?

✔ how you can contact the business?

About the Product or Service:

✔ whats being sold, with enough details for you to know exactly what youre buying?

✔ the cost of the product or service, and the currency used?

About the Sale:

✔ the costs, in addition to the price of the product or service, if any, like costs for shipping and

handling, taxes and duties?

✔ any restrictions or limitations on the sale?

✔ any warranties or guarantees?

✔ the availability of convenient and safe payment options?

✔ an estimation of when you will receive the order?

About its Consumer Protections:

✔ the opportunity for you to print or save a record of the transaction?

✔ safeguards for protecting your payment information when it is transmitted online?

✔ policies on what personal identifying information is being collected about you, what the company does with it and whom it shares it with?

✔ an opportunity for you to opt out of having information about yourself collected?

✔ policies on sending unsolicited email, including an option for you to decline these offers?

✔ the return policy, including an explanation of how you can return an item, get a refund or

credit or make an exchange?

✔ where you should call, write or email with complaints or problems?

Federal Trade Commission Toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP

 www.ftc.gov For the Consumer

FTC Consumer Alert March 2000