Useful tips, from the European Consumer Centre, when shopping online:
Ensure you have full information on the following:
Name and geographical address of the vendor.
Step-by-step ordering procedures and delivery schedule.
Cost of item, currency of payment and methods of payment.
Information concerning security measures and encryption systems to ensure the secure transmission of personal information over the World Wide Web. Secure sites will have a padlock symbol on the bottom righthand corner.
Confirmation of your order. Ask for a receipt if you are paying online.
Check your credit-card statement carefully to ensure you have been billed correctly. Inform your bank immediately if there is a discrepancy and the credit-card company will contact the vendor to clarify the situation.
Complaints procedure if you are not satisfied with the goods and cancellation terms.
Privacy policy. Ascertain how your personal details are likely to be used. You should be able to exercise your right to refuse further communication from the company or from a third party.
And if it all goes wrong:
If you receive faulty goods, or if they are not as described, the European Consumer Centre advises that you should complain immediately to the trader as your rights to redress diminish over time. Goods should be deliveredwithin a reasonable length of time. If the supplier does not adhere to the delivery deadline specified in the contract, you may cancel your order and ask for your money back, according to the ECC.
If you are unable to resolve a dispute with the trader you may be able to take a court action in your own country under the Brussels Convention, but the ECC says this order may be difficult to enforce in another country. Finally, you can refer your complaint to the European Consumer Centre or the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs.
The OECD has produced extensive guidelines for consumer protection in the context of e-commerce. These are designed to "help ensure that consumers are no less protected when shopping online than they are when buying from their local store or ordering from a catalogue."
Useful websites:
www.ecic.ie; www.odca.ie