Q: I am considering the use of using online auctions this holiday season. Is this a safe way to shop?
A: Online auctions can be a great place for finding deals at any time of year, but over the holidays such sites become hot spots for tracking down popular and hard-to-get gifts — such as new game consoles or must-have toys. Better Business Bureau offers advice to shoppers on how to avoid getting ripped off when searching for bargains and hard-to-find presents through online auctions.
According to Jupiter Research, $38 billion will be spent on items auctioned through eBay alone in 2009. For most buyers and sellers, the transaction is successful; however, online auctions can be fertile ground for scammers. In 2008 half of all complaints to the FBI related to online fraud were the result of online auction fraud and nondelivery of merchandise.
When bidding online for holiday gifts, BBB recommends that shoppers:
1. Find out how the auction site protects buyers and sellers from fraud. A responsible online auction site will take steps to protect both buyers and sellers from fraud. Find out what actions the auction site will take in your defense if you become a victim of an unscrupulous seller.
2) Compare the cost of the item elsewhere. Scammers will often price their items lower than the competition in order to lure in buyers. A lowball minimum bid for an item should be considered a red flag.
3. Research the seller. Online auction sites often provide the opportunity for buyers to rate sellers and provide feedback on the transaction. These reviews are a great way to determine the seller’s track record, but keep in mind that reviews are typically not authenticated and some sellers will pay for flattering reviews in order to mislead buyers.
4. Ask plenty of questions. When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions about the item, including how they came to own it, its condition and if you can return it if you’re not satisfied. Also find out whether the cost of shipping is included in the bidding price and, if not, clarify what the added delivery cost will be.
5. Don’t be lured away from the auction site. In some cases, scammers will try to convince bidders to complete a transaction outside of the auction site, perhaps by telling losing bidders that the seller actually has more of the same item available. Leaving the Web site means you are no longer covered by the protections and guarantees provided by the auction business.
6. Use a secure form of payment. Use a credit card or a secure payment service, such as PayPal, when purchasing items through an online auction. If the seller insists on using an escrow service, always research that business fully with BBB. Never wire cash payments — such as through MoneyGram or Western Union — to someone you don’t know.
For more guidance you can trust on how to shop safely online, visit www.bbb.org
Get answers to your questions each Friday from Jim Winsett, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Inc., which serves Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Submit questions to his attention by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at jvass@timesfreepress.com.
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