E-commerce: check the returns policy when buying online

 

When processing e-commerce transactions through social media websites, you must conduct a little research about the seller’s reliability. In this case, reviews are going to help you out. While it goes without saying that you must also check the returns/exchange policies, some shoppers might disregard this.

This is even more important with social commerce, particularly if you do not recognise the seller that you are purchasing from. This is because some of the products on offer on these online marketplaces require you to post returns abroad, commonly to China. As such, you must make sure that a UK address is mentioned in the seller’s policy. After researching, you have the option of cross-referencing this against Companies House information. The latter allows you to search for businesses that are registered in the UK. Thus, it will be easy for you to check where the company you are ordering from is based. This is pretty important since postage abroad can be expensive. For instance, sending a 2kg parcel to China starts from £15.56. As such, make sure to research into this well so that you are better prepared if you are not satisfied with the product bought.

The next article in this series about social commerce will look at your rights as a shopper.


Returning products overseas can be expensive © Royalty-free image


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