More than half of Spaniards will make online purchases this Christmas. Some will take the opportunity to buy gifts, while others will shop for Christmas Eve dinner and the next day or for New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Eve and the Three Kings weekend.
The greater trust of users in the online channel, the convenience of shopping from homethe speed of deliveries and competitive prices will make many users start buying online these days…
The advantage, furthermore, is that during the Christmas holidays the online stores are always open, although it is advisable to get ahead of time to avoid problems with delivery times.
Be that as it may, when buying online this Christmas, you must do so with caution, since scams are also the order of the day. Extreme caution during the Christmas season is also necessary.
12 tips to buy insurance online this Christmas
In general terms, it is advisable to be wary of excessive bargains, since no one gives “hard money for four pesetas.” But so that no one gets scared these holidays when buying online, here are a series of tips that must be taken into account:
Where to buy online this Christmas
There are countless online stores and it is important to know who you are buying from, to ensure that as few problems as possible can happen or, at least, to know that any incident will be resolved in the event that something unforeseen occurs.
Any online store that operates in the European Union has the obligation to visibly indicate on its website all the information regarding its company name, NIF, postal address, contact information and user service. If an online store is not conveniently identified, it is better not to buy through it.
Identify the buyer
If transaction platforms between individuals are used, such as Wallapop or eBay, it is essential to know who the purchase is being made from: know the seller’s information and pay attention to the rating and comments given by other people who have purchased products that he sold. This will provide us with certain guarantees in the development of the purchasing process.
No barriers in the EU
Any consumer residing in the European Union can buy from any online store without suffering any discrimination for living in another country.
This has been the case since the regulations that eliminate “roaming” for purchases in the EU were approved in 2018. All users have to enjoy the same price and the same stock in an online store. Furthermore, they cannot be directed to local versions of that website with different products or prices, but rather everyone must have access to the same conditions.
Ensure transaction security
Always check that the purchase is being made in a secure online environment and that the online store has a recognized security certificate.
In the browser bar, the URL of the online store must begin with https://. The “s” means that the environment is secure and that the data is being encrypted.
Use an antivirus
Having specific e-commerce protection installed on your computer – or mobile phone – also helps ensure that transactions are occurring correctly. Take a look at the best antivirus of the year and choose the one that suits you best, but always act protected on the Internet.
Do not give excessive information
We must take care of the information that is shared with online businesses. It is normal to have to provide the numbers of the credit or debit card that will be used to pay for the purchase, but there is no need to provide the PIN number.
Yes, they will ask us for the CVV, that three or four digit number that is located on the back of the card, but nothing more. Additionally, that information usually has to be entered in a secure form or environment. You should be wary if they ask us for data by email.
Save the receipts
Screenshots, purchase confirmations… all possible information must be saved to be able to make a claim if necessary.
Delivery times
Online commerce is obliged to indicate when the purchased product or service will be delivered and in what way. If not explicitly informed, the maximum delivery time is set by default to be 30 days. If this period is exceeded, the consumer should be able to decide whether to continue waiting or cancel the purchase at no cost.
Reception of the article
If upon receiving the package with the purchase made it is damaged or beaten, it is best to refuse it and not accept it. The receipt must be signed by the courier informing them of the problem for which it is being returned, stating that there are external damages.
Returns
The consumer may withdraw from the purchase within 14 days following receipt of the product or activation of the service, as established by the General Law for the Defense of Consumers and Users.
If there is no information on the withdrawal on the online commerce website or it is not communicated in some other way to the user, the period is extended to 12 months.
In the same way, if it is not expressly indicated that the return costs must be borne by the buyer, it is the online store that must take care of them.
Guarantees
Any product or service purchased online must have the same warranty as a product purchased in a physical establishment. If the online store applies a reduction to the warranty for this reason, it is better to purchase the product from another establishment.
Claim
If you have any problems, contact the online store through its customer service. If it is not resolved, file a claim with the Municipal Consumer Information Office (OIMC).
If you have been a victim of a crime, report it to a police station or file your report online on the National Police website.
