Buying Guides...
Below are our articles on the subject of Buying Guides. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
Accreditation and Price Comparison Websites
OfCom have launched a price comparison calculator accreditation scheme, aimed at empowering online shopping consumers....
An Overview of the UK E-Commerce Regulations
Consumers are protected by several pieces of legislation and regulaton. Once of the most relevant to online consumers are the E-Commerce Regulations. Find out what the basis of these regulations are, ...
Basic Safe Internet Shopping Tips & Advice
The Internet can be a very quick, cheap and efficient way to shop online. This mode of shopping is extremely prevalent and is continuing to grow in popularity year upon year. Sometimes it can be easy ...
Being Wary Of Advertising and Internet Shopping
Shopping on the Internet brings much more to the consumer in terms of choice. You will often see advertisement or be contacted via email with promotional offers, whether you asked for them or not. Und...
Buying a Holiday Online: Consumer Rights, Cancellations, Refunds and Complaints
With the advent of the Internet, booking any paying for a holiday has never been easier or cheaper. Buying a holiday over the Internet, you are effectively cutting out the 'middle man' - known to most...
Buying Clothing Online: Consumer Rights, Refunds and Returning Clothing Items
You might not have the time or inclination to trawl around the high street or shopping mall for hours on end, so you decide that buying your clothes and shoes online is your best bet. However, before ...
Buying from Overseas Sellers Online: Do Your UK Consumer Rights Apply?
Buying rare or sought after items that would otherwise be difficult to source, is easier than ever. Shopping online has quite literally rendered the Internet into a borderless browsing marketplace, gi...
Buying 'Personal' Items Online
Find out about your consumer rights when buying personal items online, such as medicine, cosmetics, prescriptions, underwear and hosiery....
Buying Tickets Online: Consumer Rights, Cancellations, Refunds and Complaints
Shopping around online for tickets can help you find some of the cheapest ticket prices. When buying tickets online you should always have a clear idea of what you're being sold, the full costs and de...
Buying Timeshares Online
Timeshares are starting to break free of their previously bad reputation. This article explains the fundamentals about buying a timeshare safely online, as well as explaining your consumer rights rela...
Can a Website Advertise Items as In Stock When They are Not?
What you can do if a website advertises an item as in stock when in fact it is not available....
Can Websites Change Prices Once Ordered?
Sometimes mistakes are made with labelling prices on website. In the event of this happening to you, what are your rights and who can you contact to take further action?...
Checklist: Privacy Policies and Data Protection Online
Find out how data protection laws affect you online - and how to avoid getting unwanted emails and other communications from companies you've never heard of....
Considerations When Buying Electrical and Gas Appliances Online
Buying large electrical and gas appliances is so easy with online shopping. With no restrictions on display areas and reduced overhead costs, online retailers are often able to provide the consumer wi...
Consumer Contract Regulations, Buying Gifts: A Sample Case
A sample case that highlights a number of different issues relating to the distance selling regulations, and when, by law, you are entitled to a refund or replacement....
Consumer Contract Regulations, Buying Shoes: A Sample Case
If you're buying shoes online, don't wear them out of the house until you've read this....
Distance Selling Online: Responsibilities to the Consumer
Are you interested in selling your goods or services on the Internet, but unsure about what responsibilities you have to the consumer? The various regulations that are in place may appear confusing at...
FSA's Review on Price Comparison Websites
Find out why the FSA has decided to review regulations relating to price comparison websites....
Getting a Refund from Your Credit Card Company
If you've made a purchase from an online seller that has gone bust, and you used your credit card, you could be entitled to a full refund by law. Read more here....
High Street Trading vs. Online Trading Regulations
There are many bargains to be found on the high street and online - but where do you stand with your consumer rights? Understanding the trading regulations that apply to online and high street shoppin...
How PayPal and Worldpay Work
If you're new to online shopping you might have seen Worldpay and PayPal logos online but wondered how they work. Here's an explanation as well as the differences between them, compared to the protect...
How Price Comparison Websites Operate Privacy Policies
Price comparison websites are handy for getting bargains and comparing companies - but what can happen when entering your personal details?...
How to Avoid Buying Counterfeit Goods Online
If you've ever come across an offer online that seemed too good to be true, find out here whether it was likely to have been counterfeit, what the penalties for this crime are, and what you can do to ...
How to Choose a Safe Seller When Buying Online
When shopping online it is important to purchase from a reliable and trustworthy source. Protect yourself from unscrupulous sellers - learn how to sort the wheat from the chaff and choose a safe selle...
Internet Auctions - Private Sellers vs. Business Sellers
When buying items from an Internet auction site, your consumer rights can be affected depending on who you buy from, and how you buy....
Internet Sales Letters: The Truth
If you've ever come across a long sales letter on the Internet, you may have read to the bottom and had a compulsion to press 'buy.' This article explains the psychology behind the formula....
Internet Shopping Payment Methods
There are different ways in which you can pay for your goods and services purchased over the Internet. Make sure you understand the implications of using each payment, your rights, and the most secure...
Internet Shopping: Avoiding Hidden Charges
It can be incredibly annoying when you think you've found the bargain of the century online, only to find out later that massive hidden charges such as delivery and value added tax....
Is This Website Safe to Use?, Common Questions
If you buy goods or services online, you may be sure that the website you're using is safe. Here are some top tips to make your online experience safer....
Legally, Can I Keep the Second Laptop?
Unsolicited duplicate items received from an online order may be treated as unconditional gifts....
Making Sure You Change Your Password Regularly
This article looks at why it's so important to maintain good security practices when shopping online, and change your password regularly....
Misleading Advertising and Online Shopping
Advertising goods and services online is actually a viable business in itself. Affiliate programmes, advertising keyword campaigns and pay per click advertising are all important strategies in driving...
Pharmaceuticals and Health: Consumer Rights, Advertising and Refunds
Buying pharmaceuticals and health products online is a serious business. To protect your health, make sure you are aware of the safest way to buy online and protect your consumer rights should someth...
Postage, Shipping and Shopping on the Internet
Shopping on the Internet brings with it many benefits. Occasionally though charges may appear that you didn't intend. Find out what these charges could be and your rights relating to these hidden char...
Pro's and Con's of Customer Reviews on Websites
Customer review sites can enhance the shopping experience - but are they always as neutral and 'real' as they seem?...
Protecting Your Details Before You Shop Online
The problem of identity theft and fraud on the Internet is serious, but not completely endemic. Take action to thoroughly protect yourself before you shop, but safeguarding your details and passwords....
Protecting Your PC/Computer When Shopping Online
One of the first steps in protecting yourself against crime on the Internet is to make sure you have a suitably protected personal computer. Learn how to keep your computer free of any threat against ...
Protecting Yourself From Email Scamming and Phishing
Criminals will often try to lure financial and security details from unwitting Internet users. Learn how to spot the offending unsolicited emails, known as 'spam', and how you can protect yourself aga...
Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations
Traders are not permitted to mislead consumers into making purchases and a number of trading practices have been banned outright. Find out more here....
Public Computers and Internet Shopping
If you are one of the few that doesn't have a computer to call your own, you may still wish to purchase items online. Public computers aren't always as safe as home PCs, so if you decide to use a publ...
Questionnaire: Avoiding Identity Fraud
This questionnaire is designed to help online shoppers from becoming the victims of identity fraud and contains useful tips on how to keep your data safe offline....
Questionnaire: Who Pays Postage and Packing?
The person with financial responsibility in a transaction for postage and packing, and postal insurance, depends on whether the seller is a private individual or a business. Find out more with our que...
Quick Seller's Guide to Providing Safe E-Commerce
Thinking of starting your own web-based business? As a seller you will be responsible for providing a safe service for your customers. Find out what steps you should take to provide safe e-commerce f...
Received Invoice for Goods Advertised as Free: What are My Rights?
When you buy something from a website, at what point does the contract of sale become valid and binding?...
Regulations for Price Comparison Websites
Price comparison websites have been praised for providing consumers with information on safe online shopping. However, in 2008 it was suggested that they themselves should be bound by tighter regulati...
Returns Policy and Internet Shopping
Keeping well-informed about your rights with regards to returns on Internet shoppers will help to keep your online shopping experiences positive....
Rights When Buying a Car Online
If you've ever considered buying a car online, here are the things you need to consider beforehand as well as what your rights as a consumer are in relation to the distance selling regulations....
Safe Online Banking and Payments
Online Banking is one of the benefits of 21st century living. The majority of online banking is a safe experience, which is sometimes exploited. Keep your details safe from fraudsters and learn how to...
Safe Online Shopping - Know Your Rights
It's always worth having an idea of what your consumer rights are, particularly when shopping online without face-to-face contact. This article outlines the basics for any potential and existing Inter...
Safe Selling - Protecting Yourself Against Fraudulent Transactions
Online sellers in some ways are just as open to fraudulent activity as consumers. If you're considering opening your own e-commerce store, make sure you're aware of any potential problems relating to ...
Safety: Shopping Online vs. Shopping On the High Street
The popularity of shopping online appears to grow with each year that passes. Online shopping has many appealing aspects, namely it's easy as you can shop from the comfort of your own home and at what...
Scams That Affect Sellers Online
If you sell goods online either privately or in the course of a business, there are numerous scams that you should be aware of. This article explains some of the main scams that ensnare online sellers...
Securing Your Wireless Network for Safe Internet Shopping
Don't leave your computer network open to attack. If you have a wireless network, make sure you keep it secure for your Internet shopping. This article reveals the basic fundamentals of securing your ...
Security and Price Comparison Websites
Price comparison websites offer some great deals, but you should always be aware that they're not responsible for the content and policies of external websites....
Selling Online - Legal Disputes and Settlements
Disputes between online sellers and buyers may occasionally occur, commonly due to the fact that one party may believe the other is in breach of contract. This article describes the number of ways in ...
Selling Online: Forming and Concluding a Contract with Your Buyer
Would-be online traders may not realise that each time a consumer purchases an item from them, they have entered into a legally binding contract. If you're considering selling online, this article exp...
Selling Online: Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations
Unsolicited emails and advertising are the bane of many an Internet user's life. But did you know that there are Regulations in place to protect UK citizen's privacy, to try and tackle the ongoing pro...
Spyware and Internet Shopping
Shopping online may include a lot of time spent browsing. During this time you may unwittingly be downloading invasive and problematic programmes called Spyware. Find out what exactly Spyware is, what...
Swine Flu and FCO Advice Not to Travel: Do I Get a Refund?
For many who have already booked a holiday to Mexico, the threat of swine flu and the restrictions placed on travel by the FCO may cause a lot of uncertainty with regards to refunds....
The Regulations Of Privacy Policy and Internet Shopping
Ever wondered why you might receive so many unsolicited emails? This article explains why unsolicited occur, when they're acceptable and how you can avoid them. The article also outlines your rights t...
Tips for Avoiding Online Credit Card Fraud
This article outlines the ways in which fraudsters can obtain credit card details and use them online. Find out how to keep your details safe and avoid becoming a victim of online fraud....
Transparent Pricing and Online Shopping
Understanding your consumer rights is vital when shopping online, as many retailers are ignoring regulations and legislation relating to the transparent pricing of goods and services....
Understanding Terms and Conditions When Shopping Online
Before purchasing a service or goods online, is it recommended that consumers read the terms and conditions of the sale. This article explains the fundamentals of terms and conditions and contracts to...
Understanding UK Distance Selling Rules
The UK Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations came into force in 2000 to help protect consumers who buy from sources where there is no face-to-face contact. This article describes the fund...
Understanding Your Basic Statutory Rights
Ever wondered what your basic consumer rights are? Not sure what is meant by statutory rights? When shopping online it's always worth having knowledge of even the most fundamental consumer rights, sho...
Using Your Credit Card to Shop Online
Using your credit card online offers extra protection against unscrupulous sellers and online fraud. If you are considering making an online purchase, find out why a credit card is possibly the best p...
What To Do If Your Card Details Are Stolen
Here are some useful tips as to what you should do when you discover that someone has been using your card details or bank account without your knowledge, as well as how to protect yourself from becom...
Your Rights When Furniture Buying Online
Before you order furniture from an online trader, here's what you should know about your rights....
Your Rights When Using Internet Auction Websites
In recent years, online shopping has become a huge phenomenon. On the back of this, Internet Auction sites have become an extremely popular way to purchase almost any item, usually via a bidding proce...