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
Appliance store reviews
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Articles
What's it really like to be an Amazon delivery driver?
The Fair Work Commission now has some power over the gig economy, but many drivers remain underpaid and overworked.
Amazon Prime Day: Best electronic buys
Here are our expert's picks for the epic three day sale.
Everything you need to know for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025
Our guide to this year's season of these popular sales.
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'.
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.
Thousands of Brosa customers likely out of pocket
Over 5000 customers had paid for orders before the company was acquired by Kogan.
Buying online from overseas retailers
If you receive a faulty product, what are your consumer rights in Australia?
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?
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.
Counterfeit goods
Counterfeit goods are on the rise and getting harder to pick. We help you spot the difference between Fendi and a Prentendi.
Counterfeit LifeVac anti-choking devices for sale on eBay
The TGA has its work cut out for it when it comes to policing overseas platforms selling counterfeit medical devices.
Dodgy Derila: The nightmare pillow brand that outraged customers globally
Australians lost sleep over misleading claims and shady online sales tactics.
Foreign transaction fees when shopping online
You don't need to be converting currency to get hit with foreign transaction fees.
Refund nightmare: The 'ghost stores' where it's a fight to get your money back
Buy from these 'local' retailers and get ready to spend more money chasing a refund.
Group buying sites
Should you trust group buying sites or should you steer clear?
High postage paid
Why Australian parcel postage costs so much, and "free shipping" isn't really free.
6 ways to spot a scam shopping site
Think an online store might be fake? Here's how to identify and report a scam website.
The Kogan-brand products to avoid
Beware these Kogan buys that rated poorly in our lab tests.
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.
Meta comes around to better scam protections for Australian users
The company recently announced that financial services ads will be subject to a verification process starting next year.
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.
Amazon Prime and eBay Plus compared
We compared Amazon Prime and eBay Plus to see which offers the most value.
How to use PayPal Buyer Protection
Learn about PayPal’s refund process and whether it’s better than a card chargeback.
The new PayPal scam to watch out for
Scam messages are appearing on the popular platform. Here's how to stay safe.
Product price trackers compared: Can they save you money?
CamelCamelCamel, Zyft and Honey claim to help you find the best deals, but how accurate are they?
Amazon Prime Day in Australia is live: Here's what you need to know
Amazon's big week of deals is up and running.
Inside the world of fake online reviews
Fake reviews are conning Australians out of millions, despite efforts to stop them.
Scam ads rampant on popular social platforms
New rules in the UK force Google, Facebook and Instagram to stop scam ads, but Australia is yet to take action.
US freight-forwarding services
What are your postage options when US retailers won't ship your purchases to Australia?
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.
Top tips for shopping online
How to shop online like a pro.
How to spot a fake online review
Watch out for these red flags – they'll help you sort the fakes from the real deal.
What is Afterpay?
Afterpay lets you buy something instantly and pay for it in instalments. But is it as painless as it sounds?
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.
Temu explained: Is it worth using?
Is Temu legit? Here's everything you need to know, with verdicts from experts and shoppers.
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.
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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.
Shopping
Know your rights, know when you're being manipulated, and most of all know where to sniff out the best bargains.
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.