MAGNOLIA

CLIPPING SERVICE
(601) 856-0911 ! (205) 758-8610
MESSENGER
OKOLONA, MS
Cil culation : 1165

WEEKLY

08/05/2009
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B~&, Tips 'for Dealing with

OnilneCompanies
With the rapid increase in 'Review return, refund
online shopping - especially and shipping/handling poli­
for bargains - comes an cies. Remember that mer­
increase in the number of chants must ship your order
bogus retailer web sites that as advertised or within 30
can easily dupe consumers. days of purchase; other­
The Better Business wise, you have the right to
Bureau (BBBj Serving cancel the purchase.
Mississippi offers the fol­ 'Check on the security of
lowing tips for consumers the web site.
wanting to deal only with 'Give information
reputable online retailers. required and nothing more.
"Anyone can create a web Don't give Social Security
site," said Bill Moak, numbers or any other infor­
President/CEO of the mation that is not absolute­
Mississippi BBB. "We want ly necessary.
consumers to take simple 'Pay for orders with cred­
steps to be sure they are it cards. Credit .cards pro­
dealing with reputable com­ vide limited liability and
panies." offer options to help in
·Trust your instincts. If resolving disputes.
you feel pressured to place Consumers are urged to
an order immediately then check the reliability of
maybe you shouldn't, If a online retailers with the
site has poor grammar, BBB of Mississippi online
spelling, etc. then these may at www.ms.bbb.org or by
be signs that the site is phone at 800-987-8280.
being run overseas.
.Do your homework. Be
sure the site lists and physi­
cal address and an address
for the company. Obtain a
Reliability Report from the
BBB on unfamiliar compa­
nies.
'Double check pricing. Do
comparison shopping. Is the
product being sold as riew
or used? Be suspicious of
prices that seem too good to
be true.
'Read the privacy policy.
Understand how the infor­
mation gathered on the site
will be used. )

"