e- Shopping: Products

Updates - Have you checked for updates?

If you frequently access a web page, you may be seeing outdated pricing or old inventory information. The reason: Some Internet browsers, that is, a program such as Netscape Navigator™ or Microsoft Internet Explorer®, save frequently-accessed pages. Check whether the seller indicates when the information was last updated. To insure you’re seeing the latest version, use your browser’s "reload" and "refresh" capabilities available under the "View" menu to update the page you’re viewing.

The Product - What are you buying?

Be aware that some claims are just someone’s opinion and the consumer has no legal claim if it is not true. For example, if the seller claims: "This is the best book ever written on this topic," that is merely an opinion. However, you may have a legal case if an item that you buy does not conform to the seller’s specific description. For example, if the seller’s e-mail or web page states that the book is 1,000 pages long and published last year, you may have a legal claim if the book that's delivered is half that long and ten years old.

Double Check The Price - Does the price of the product seem reasonable to you?

Whether the product is being sold as new or used, be suspicious of prices that are too good to be true. Also, consider carefully whether you may be paying too much for an item, particularly if you’re bidding through an auction site. You may want to comparison-shop, online or offline, before you buy.
Authenticity - How do you know your product is authentic?
Is the seller offering a real brand-name item, or just a replica? Review the site for a guarantee of the product’s authenticity.

Check Your Order - Have you checked the item number and amount?

After typing in your order, double check the online form. It’s easy to order "22" rather than "2" of an item if your finger stays on the keyboard a little too long.
Many electronic order forms will tell you the total price of your order before you buy. Pay attention to that total price so you can crosscheck the items and quantity. Also, check any confirmation e-mail that you receive from the seller. If it doesn’t agree with what you wanted, immediately notify the seller by e-mail or telephone.

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