Shopping online offers many conveniences – most of all serious savings, both in cost and time spent not schlepping off to a bricks-and-mortar store. But what are the pitfalls involved with shopping online? Our advice covers your rights, returns, delivery times and customer service, along with invaluable tips on how to get the best experience shopping online.
Buying online
Buying online
When you're splurging on new shoes or ordering the latest bestseller online, it helps to know your rights and how to navigate the system.
Review and compare
Electronics store reviews
Over 5000 CHOICE supporters rate their experiences with stores including Myer, David Jones, Harvey Norman, Betta, Appliances Online and more.
Articles
Amazon Prime Day in Australia: What you need to know
Everything you need to know about Amazon’s big sale.
Shonky winner Bloomex fined $1 million for misleading customers
The prominent online florist manipulated star ratings, launched fake promotions and added sneaky charges before checkout.
Temu explained: Is this new online shopping platform worth using?
Is Temu legit? Here’s everything you need to know, with verdicts from experts and shoppers.
Why it pays to think twice about spending on Black Friday
Black Friday deals may seem fantastic, but sometimes it's worth taking a deep breath before you hit 'add to cart'.
The Cyber Monday sales are on. Here's everything you need to know
Our expert guide to Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023.
Inside the world of fake online reviews
Fake reviews are conning Australians out of millions, despite efforts to stop them.
How to spot a fake online review
Watch out for these red flags – they'll help you sort the fakes from the real deal.
Scam ads rampant on popular social platforms
New rules in the UK force Google, Facebook and Instagram to stop scam ads on their platforms. Australia's yet to take action.
The Kogan-brand products to avoid
Beware these Kogan buys that rated poorly in our lab tests.
Zip Pay and Zip Money: What is it and should you use it?
How it works, interest and fees, and the risks of using this buy now, pay later service.
Kogan delivery of Brosa goods comes at a cost
Customers who bought goods from Brosa before it went bust say new owner Kogan is jacking up delivery charges, but the company insists it's adding no markups.
Thousands of Brosa customers likely out of pocket
Over 5000 customers had paid for orders before the company was acquired by Kogan.
Top tips for shopping online
How to shop online like a pro.
What is Humm, and can you trust it?
How the buy now pay later service works, and the risks to consumers when accessing this type of unregulated credit.
7 ways to spot a scam website
Think a shopping page might be a fake? Here's how to identify and report a scam website.
How to use PayPal Buyer Protection
Learn about PayPal’s refund process and whether it’s better than a card chargeback.
What is Afterpay?
Afterpay lets you buy something instantly and pay for it in instalments. But is it as painless as it sounds?
How to bypass geo-blocking for online shopping and streaming
How much does your location affect online shopping and services, and what can you do about it?
US freight-forwarding services
What are your postage options when US retailers won't ship your purchases to Australia?
Amazon Prime Day: Best electronic buys
Here are our expert's picks for the epic three day sale.
Mosaic Brands customers still wait for hand sanitiser marketed amid COVID-19 panic
The owner of Katies, Rockmans and Noni B jumped into the hand sanitiser market, but have over-promised and under-delivered.
Click Frenzy online sale: Deal or dud?
Here's how to shop smart when the sale kicks off this Tuesday 8 November. Plus, what you need to know about Cashrewards.
Subscription services that deliver to your door
We look at what you can get delivered to your door to make life easier, from books and toiletries to craft and gardening kits.
Amazon Prime and eBay Plus compared
We compared Amazon Prime and eBay Plus to see which offers the most value.
Counterfeit goods
Counterfeit goods are on the rise and getting harder to pick. We help you spot the difference between Fendi and a Prentendi.
High postage paid
Why Australian parcel postage costs so much, and "free shipping" isn't really free.
Buying online from overseas retailers
If you receive a faulty product, what are your consumer rights in Australia?
Group buying sites
Should you trust group buying sites or should you steer clear?
Foreign transaction fees when shopping online
You don't need to be converting currency to get hit with foreign transaction fees.
Related
Online shopping
The world's biggest shopping mall is always at your fingertips. Knowing how to navigate it properly can save you time and money.
Taking action and making a complaint
Don't just yell and scream to let off steam, get the outcome you want with some targeted complaining.
Know your consumer rights
CHOICE helps you understand the law so you can fight for your rights as a consumer.