7 tips for online shopping
Make sure your bargain buying goes to plan.
Make sure your bargain buying goes to plan.
Shopping from the comfort of your own home is convenient, but there can be some pitfalls. Hidden costs and shady traders mean some purchases may never arrive.
Here are our tips to ensure your online shopping goes smoothly.
If you’re buying from an online business, a quick search of the website name with the word ‘scam’ or ‘review’ may bring up warnings from other customers to steer clear. But beware: Not all reviews are genuine.
If the name of the online business doesn’t match the URL, something could be amiss. Scammers may take advantage of a well-known brand that has let its ownership of a website name lapse, to get an increase in traffic to the scam site.
If something goes wrong with your purchase, it’s harder to remedy if the business is based overseas, so check to ensure you’re dealing with a New Zealand-based business.
A website with a .co.nz domain name doesn’t necessarily mean the trader is based here. However, you can check who owns the website by looking up its domain name. If the website was recently set up or is hidden behind a private domain registration, shop elsewhere.
You can also check the Companies Register to make sure the business is registered in New Zealand.
If you have purchased something from an overseas company, your rights will vary depending on the company’s terms and the consumer protection laws of the relevant country.
If a website is listing incredibly cheap deals, be very suspicious. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is.
‘Just two left! Get in quick!’ Shopping online, you’re bound to see these kinds of prompts urging you to buy now. It’s called pressure marketing and in many cases it’s a false representation. You probably won’t miss out and there are most likely plenty in stock.
Not for purchases less than $1000. GST will have been collected when you bought the items. However, if you’re spending over a grand, Customs will collect GST and/or duty when the goods arrive in NZ. Check out the Customs website for more information.
These payment methods give you extra protection because if the correct goods don’t turn up, you can ask your bank for a chargeback.
Get even more Consumer NZ news and invitations to share your voice on important issues straight to your inbox. You don’t have to be a member to have these newsletters emailed to you regularly.
This site uses cookies to help us understand how visitors engage with our website. By using Consumer NZ, you accept our use of cookies.
Get even more Consumer NZ news and invitations to share your voice on important issues straight to your inbox.
By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can opt out at anytime.
Member comments
Get access to comment