E-commerce brings enormous ranges of goods and services within your reach. You can do your shopping from the comfort of your own home whenever you want, compare prices and choose the best bargains. Because deals are made without the seller and buyer being in the same place at the same time and the buyer is generally unable to see the product before buying it, there are special features associated with e-commerce. Pay attention to at least the following things before you order. You can also use this e-commerce on-line helper to test the information the vendor provides about himself.
As a general rule, you can freely order products from other EU countries without having to pay customs duties. Another general rule is that the value added tax levied on sales of goods to consumers in the EU is collected in the country where the sale is made. In the case of sales of goods sent to consumers in Finland from another Member State, however, an exception is made in that the so-called distance selling VAT regulations apply. The volume of distance sales that a vendor makes to consumers in Finland determines whether he must register in this country. In addition, special regulations apply to some products. For example, the VAT on new transport vehicles is always payable in Finland.
Special regulations also apply to VAT levied on goods subject to excise duties, such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. When selling these goods to private individuals in Finland, the vendor must register as a VAT-liable entity and pay VAT. If you are considering ordering these products over the Internet, familiarise yourself with Finnish Customs regulations to make sure you will not find yourself liable to pay excise duty. Ks. Customs . There are import restrictions on some products, such as weapons and medicines .
Does the vendor clearly give his name, street address and telephone number in addition to his e-mail address on his web site? It is not advisable to do business with just an Internet site or a post office box, and an e-mail address does not necessarily even tell you in what country the vendor is located. Test how well the contact particulars and customer service function by asking for additional information about products and services that interest you.
Miracle products, sure ways to get rich, offers of things nearly free, prizes even when you have not been entered in a draw or lottery – the Internet is swarming with swindlers in addition to the honest traders who do business on it. Be critical: never give your credit card details in order to confirm your identity or claim a prize.
Does the vendor have clear information about the product and its properties on his web site? Does the product come with a guarantee and what is its geographical coverage – will the guarantee cover repairs to the product in Finland if they are needed? What language are the operating instructions available in? Are the technical properties of the product suitable for Finnish conditions?
Does the vendor announce clearly on his web site how much the product itself costs? A responsible vendor itemises all payments connected with an order, but also clearly states the total price including taxes and delivery charges.
Does the vendor state how long it will take to deliver the goods? If not, it may be advisable to agree a delivery period with the vendor. Always read the vendor s other terms of contract as well. Are they clear and easily understandable? Do you get answers to any questions you have about them? What is the procedure when, for example, an article is faulty?
Consumers shopping on the Internet within the EU area have, as a basic principle, at least 7 working days in which to cancel. The vendor should inform you of your right of cancellation or else that you have no such right. When you have a right to cancel, the vendor must inform you how to exercise it.
Not many companies will deliver to consumers abroad when payment is by invoice or even cash on delivery (COD). The good thing about these modes of payment is that you pay for a product only when it has been delivered. When you pay by credit card, make sure that the payment transaction is secured, for example that a lock icon appears in front of the https www address at the upper edge of the screen and also at the lower edge. The advantage of paying by credit card is that you can also complain to the credit card company if a problem arises. The biggest risk in the event of goods not being delivered is associated with a situation in which a company stipulates payment in advance by bank transfer as the only mode of payment.
Check what the company says about the use of personal data and direct marketing, and reflect on what information about yourself you want to give.
Internet pages are continually being updated. Remember to print a copy of your order, the order confirmation you receive, the terms of delivery and other relevant aspects, such as a description of or advertisement for the product and any correspondence between you and the vendor. This will make it a lot easier to deal with the matter in the event of a problem arising.
Some vendors have joined systems under which they undertake to observe certain rules. When a business has one, settlement of disputes can be easier. However, there are many different trustmark systems and the level of protection they provide varies. If a company states on its web site that it has a trustmark, check to find out what that particular one entails.