«Be a competent consumer!»

Department for Consumer Protection of the East Kazakhstan Region of the Committee for Consumer Protection of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan ( East Kazakhstan Region, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Burova str. 20, tel. 8(7232)-26-72-07, e-mail: dzpp.vko@mti.gov.kz) sends an information and explanatory article on the issue of making purchases via the Internet.

 

New time - new opportunities. The rapid development of telecommunications technologies has led to the fact that more and more stores are switching to the electronic version of trade, and today the probability of buying goods via the Internet will not surprise anyone. Online trading has become a significant Internet component. What are the obvious advantages of ordering a product or service online? Internet technologies are convenient for both buyers and sellers: significant time savings, payment for purchases with electronic money, the ability to deliver it to your home, unusual products, a wide range of them, and their relatively low price.

 

Behind any positive qualities are hidden shortcomings. The main disadvantage: the visitor of the online store makes purchases virtually, acting at the level of the site user. He cannot see the real product, nor can he know whether the item is in stock, in what technical condition it is, to what extent the declared characteristics and photos correspond to reality. Therefore, online shopping is fraught with dangers.

With the advent of the Internet, Internet scammers appeared, who appreciated the possibilities of new forms of trade and began to actively use them in order to deceive potential customers. Scammers can create fictitious sites on social networks to sell anything, display pictures of non-existent goods, put "likes" for themselves, add subscribers and leave reviews. In order to avoid becoming a victim of online trading fraud when making a quick purchase, take precautions.

 

If there are inconsistencies or inaccuracies in the description of products on the Internet trading platforms, study the characteristics of the ordered product, compare it with similar things on other online resources, specify the appearance, guarantees provided by the store. If the site is silent in response to requests to throw off other photos of the product (for example, to make sure of the shades of color) or requests to clarify the possibility of warranty exchange, return or repair of low-quality goods, it is better not to risk it. Honest traders specify all the conditions in advance and place an agreement on the transaction.

 

Active users of online stores are advised to take a photo-video camera at the moment of unpacking the goods: inside the parcel may not be what was in the catalog or the goods may be damaged during transportation. Receiving a low-quality product will overshadow the joy of buying. When ordering clothes or shoes online, it is easy to make a mistake with the size. Unnecessary goods will have to be returned, but the money paid for delivery will be wasted. Use the services of sites that specify the size grid with data on the volume of the chest, leg length, waist circumference and hip circumference. If there are photos and video materials, the buyer will not be accused of replacing the product, it will be possible to exchange it for another product or get a refund.

So, on the one hand, this method of purchase has a number of advantages, on the other there are disadvantages, often bordering on violation of the law. In order not to become a victim of online scams, carefully check the sites of online stores and soberly evaluate your actions. Be careful: it is not difficult to determine the authenticity of the trading platform by eye. The main advice is not to be too trusting and not to succumb to provocations, if there are any doubts, postpone the order of the product.

 

We hope that practical recommendations regarding online shopping will help you avoid trouble when making online purchases and allow you to purchase a quality product!

 

In 2020, the Department received 37 complaints about violations of consumer rights by Internet trade entities. During the review, 29 appeals were resolved positively, and explanations were given for 8 appeals to resolve the issue in court.

 

Consumers regarding the protection of their consumer rights can contact the Department for the Protection of Consumer Rights of the East Kazakhstan Region (Ust-Kamenogorsk, Burova str., 20, phone 8/7232/267207, e-mail: dzpp.vko@mti.gov.kz).

 

Also, we want to draw your attention to the fact that any consumer can access the site www.e-tutynushy.kz via a computer or mobile app and send your appeal on consumer protection issues.

Protect your rights and become a competent consumer!