1. Be careful when you give your credit or debit card details on the Internet. Always find out whether the company has a secure site by looking for the closed padlock sign at the bottom of the screen, and look for information about the protection the company has put in place.
  2. The trader must give their name and a geographical address, not just a PO Box number, and not just their e-mail address. They must also fully describe the goods for sale and orders must be confirmed in writing.
  3. As with any other type of purchase, shop around for the best deals and prices. In most cases, you are entitled to a seven working day cancellation period where you can change your mind, but this usually does not apply to ‘auction’ sites. You should always read the terms and conditions carefully before buying.
  4. Watch out for high postage rates and for other hidden costs, such as VAT and other duty payable, particularly if goods are being sent from abroad.
  5. Try to get personal recommendations for companies you have not done business with before. You can get help and advice from specialist organisations, such as Trust UK. Trust UK is an organisation endorsed by the UK government which enables consumers to buy online with confidence. You can visit their website at - www.trustuk.org.uk
  6. Remember, goods being sent from abroad may take some time to be delivered. Check with the trader how long this will take, and set a delivery date that you must have them by, if that is important. Where no delivery date has been agreed, delivery must be within thirty days. Goods and services ordered from UK and European Countries will be covered by the ‘Distance Selling’ Regulations. For more information on your rights under this important law, see ‘Shopping at home - your guide to the distance selling regulations’.
  7. Check what the company’s policy is on returning goods that you don’t like or have changed your mind about, and find out who pays for the return postage. If they have come from abroad, you may be faced with a hefty postage bill to return them. Refunds must be made within thirty days.
  8. On the subject of buying from abroad, remember that if you have problems such as faulty goods or non-delivery, it might be very difficult to get your complaint dealt with. Although your contract will probably be covered by UK law - allowing you to sue in your local court - getting money out of a company based abroad may be impractical. If possible, pay by credit card as this may give you additional protection in some circumstances. See ‘Your rights when buying on credit’ leaflet.
  9. For that reason, be wary of buying very expensive items from companies outside the UK or Europe unless you know them well - that way, if things do go wrong, you limit the risk.
  10. Most importantly, print out the order, and keep any terms and conditions that appear on the web site, just in case of any disputes or problems later on.

More information on distance selling can be found on Trading Standards’ Website