TIPS FOR A SECURE ONLINE PURCHASE

Below are useful tips from our consulting experience and encounters with inconvenient situations or traps online:

- Be wary of particularly enticing offers: generally, entrepreneurs don't give away things for free! You might receive a fake product or nothing at all.
- Verify if the seller is a company or an individual. Distance selling laws apply only to contracts between a company and a consumer. Only in this case, you have the right to warranty and withdrawal.
- Only purchase from well-known websites or research thoroughly about the seller. The more information you have about them, the better.
- The website should contain the following information:

- Before making a purchase, search for the company's name on search engines. You can often find reviews from other users sharing their positive or negative experiences with the seller. These reviews can be helpful in deciding whether to proceed with the purchase or not.
- Carefully read the terms and conditions before making a purchase.
- A single click is enough to conclude a contract, even if payment for the product or service will only happen upon or after delivery.
- Examine closely what you are buying. Since you can't inspect the desired item in person, carefully read the product description (technical details, dimensions, etc.) and ask for information if you have any doubts.
- Print all documents related to the purchase and keep them safe; take screenshots during the ordering process if necessary.
- Regarding payment, avoid paying in advance as much as possible (e.g., via bank transfer or credit card), as you would pay before receiving the product and expose yourself to significant risk. However, often it is not possible to pay after delivery (e.g., cash on delivery or invoicing).
- Is the payment method truly secure? An IBAN doesn't necessarily correspond to a bank account; it could be associated with a prepaid card whose owner might not be identifiable. Checking an IBAN on a website like http://www.ibancalculator.com can be helpful to see if the data can be clearly associated with a bank account.
- When paying by credit card, you have the option to request a chargeback in case of unauthorized charges, i.e., the return of payments (further information is available in the "Payment Methods" section). It is advisable to check your bank accounts in the following months to detect any unjustified charges. In case of misuse, immediately contact your credit card issuer and your bank.
- If the product is already damaged upon delivery, make sure the courier confirms this situation in writing and accept the delivery only "with reserve" or refuse it entirely; you are not obligated to accept damaged goods. Always specify the reason for the reserve or refusal (e.g., damaged goods). Document any defects, for example, through photos and/or video recording.
- If the packaging is damaged upon delivery, you should still accept the goods only "with reserve" or refuse the delivery altogether. Always specify the reason for the reserve or refusal (e.g., "damaged package").
- After delivery, immediately check if the product works, is complete, and matches the product description. If not, make a complaint immediately, preferably by registered mail with return receipt.
- Clarify in advance who will bear the costs of returning the product in case of a return and what those costs are.
- Regarding the form of complaints and claims, a registered letter with return receipt, although often not obligatory, can be very useful as evidence. These small steps may seem costly but can save you from unpleasant situations.