Dealing with defective items when shopping online

Certainly one of the most frustrating aspects of online shopping is dealing with receiving defective items. This is a rare problem that may occur regardless of whether a shopper patronizes an online retailer or a brick-and-mortar store. However, the issue may be more difficult to deal with during online shopping endeavors. This issue can be somewhat more difficult to deal with when a consumer is purchasing an item online but there are some helpful tips that can make dealing with defective items significantly less stressful and not following these tips can make it difficult for online shoppers. Get the defective item replaced. This article will discuss some of these helpful tips namely the importance of testing items right away, contacting online retailers and dealing with non-response from online retailers to help online shoppers deal with this dilemma.

Test items immediately after they arrive

One very important tip for online shoppers is to always test items as they arrive from the online retailer. This means that the shopper should open the item and test it as soon as possible after it is delivered. Doing this is important for several very important reasons. One of these reasons is that testing the item for effectiveness on the spot will help ensure that the online shopper is able to return the item within the restrictions imposed by the online retailer's return policy. Online retailers often have specific policies regarding returns and failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in the shopper being unable to return the item for a refund or exchange. These policies can vary greatly from one online retailer to another, and some policies may be more liberal than others. However, consumers who determine that an item is defective within two days after receiving the item will likely still fall within the period in which returns are still accepted even with online retailers offering the most stingy return policies.

Another reason why it is important to test an item purchased online for effectiveness immediately after receiving the item is that it helps ensure that the consumer does not lose the original packaging or receipt. This is important because most online retailers will require that the item be returned with an original receipt and in the original packaging. Sure, it's still possible for online shoppers to lose a receipt, but they're less likely to do so if they immediately realize the item was defective.

Contact your online retailer

Once an online shopper realizes that an item is defective, the first step they take should be to contact the online retailers. This should be done immediately because the online retailer will likely document the defect claim during this initial call and this documentation will serve as proof of when the item was reported to be defective. This guide will be useful if the online retailer causes problems with the customer regarding returning the item and there is a need to pursue legal action.

In most cases, the receipt will list a contact phone number which will put the consumer in touch with a customer service representative. However, if the receipt does not contain this information, the consumer may return to the online retailer's website to find the necessary contact information. The consumer should then contact a customer service representative and describe the problem with the product as accurately as possible. In most cases, a customer service representative will be able to provide the consumer with information on how to return the item for an exchange or refund.

When the online retailer is unresponsive

As with any retailer, it is always possible that an online shopper will not be satisfied with the response to a complaint from an online retailer. The buyer may be dissatisfied with the response provided by the online retailer or may be dissatisfied due to the lack of response from the online retailer. Regardless of the reason for the dissatisfaction, the consumer will likely have to pursue other methods to obtain a response to his complaint. A consumer may wish to raise a complaint by requesting to speak to a supervisor. If this does not correct the situation, it may be necessary to file a complaint with an agency such as the Better Business Bureau. They can contact the retailer on behalf of the disgruntled consumer and attempt to rectify the situation.