According to the FBI, 207,492 individuals filed reports with their Internet Fraud Department in 2006. Ask those consumers if they'd make a major purchase online and chances are their response would be a resounding 'no'. However, big-ticket items and the Internet don't have to be like vinegar and water. As a leader in the Online Bedroom Furniture business, Home-and-Bedroom.com offers advice for avoiding the most tragic mistakes people make when buying furniture Online.
What can you do to make your online transactions safe?
1. Avoid purchasing furniture from a company that fails to provide a physical address and phone number. "E-mail only contact can leave you waiting for an answer for weeks. What's more, you might not be able to contact them or get your money back," explains Home-and-Bedroom.com spokesperson Ben Weissman.
2. Be wary of companies that don't accept credit cards and only accept other methods such as PayPal. "Since you are their primary customer, credit card companies are far more buyer friendly. They are looking out for you. Credit Card companies vary in their protection of buyers making Online purchases with American Express being the most consumer friendly. "In my own experience, PayPal can be more difficult in the fund recovery process than most credit card companies," Weissman points out.
3. Avoid using bank check cards. "They afford you less protection against fraud than a credit card. Always check the policy of whichever Bank Card you use," Weissman said.
4. Dedicate one credit card to all of your Online purchases so that you can easily keep track of them. Go over your credit card statement when it arrives and make sure the charges on it are the same as those on your online receipts.
5. Pick up the phone before committing to a large purchase and call the company you are going to buy from. Weissman recommends that you ask the person on the other end a few pointed questions about their products. "If they don't know the answer, it may just be an order-taking facility. The person may not actually work directly for the company you are calling, and may not even be in this country," he says.
6. Look for Better Business Bureau seals and similar security symbols on Web sites. "You should be able to click through to the BBB Web site and see information on that company. How long have they been in business? Have there been any disputes against them? What is their rating?" Weissman advises.
7. Recognize that biggest isn't always best. Home-and-Bedroom.com recommends medium-size companies where consumers can easily make contact with their original representative.
8. Stick with major Furniture Lines. That way you know you are getting a quality product and that it has a good manufacturers warranty.
9. Keep copies of all order receipts and your bankcard statement in the event of a dispute.
10. Read the site's About Us page and check to see what the company's return and damage policies are before buying.
For more information on safe online furniture-buying strategies, contact Ben Weissman at http://www.home-and-bedroom.com/
Source: eMediaWire.com
