Always look for the seller's details, such as address, company name and belgium email list landline number. If the purchase does not go as expected, without these details you will not be able to identify the business owner in the future and safeguard your rights as a consumer. Most online stores on Facebook and Instagram are owned by private sellers, so always choose to buy from properly registered companies.
Before proceeding to the shopping cart, it is essential to be aware of the return policies practiced by the Online Store in order to avoid surprises both with the logistics process and with the refund of the amounts paid.
CTT, which is responsible for more than 50% of parcel deliveries in Portugal , advises that you always check the delivery times before purchasing, to ensure that your order arrives on time. Remember that you have 14 days to return the product if you change your mind, however, you must be aware of the return conditions, so that you are not charged for shipping costs.
The most important thing: payment
Using a secure, fast and easily identifiable payment method is essential to reduce the risk of making your purchase a nightmare. Bank transfer remains the safest way to make a payment, as it identifies the name of the account holder to whom you are transferring money (which is why it is so important to know the name of the company behind the store you are buying from
However, as this is a process that requires you to go to a payment terminal on the street, there are other very safe and more comfortable options:
Payment by Multibanco reference is quite easy to use and does not require the provision of personal data. euPago , the bank reference management entity, always advises that before paying, you make sure that the seller's data is reliable by searching for the references provided;
Payment by Paypal may be an advantage in the event of a dispute, as you can open a dispute with Paypal in order to be reimbursed for the amount;
With over 2 million users, MB WAY is one of the most technologically advanced and secure ways to make interbank payments for online purchases. In addition to allowing you to generate virtual credit cards, which eliminate data theft, it also allows for immediate transfers, making the purchasing process faster and more efficient. However, you should remember never to share your MB WAY PIN, neither as a form of payment nor as a guarantee. Your PIN (6-digit access code) is personal and non-transferable and disclosing it allows transactions to be carried out on your bank account;
Cash on delivery payments allow you to pay for items only upon delivery, which makes the entire process safer. If you are purchasing directly from individuals, through social media or platforms such as OLX , you should be especially careful to only use this payment method, in order to ensure that you receive your order – for this reason, the platform has created a more suitable solution for sending or receiving items, via CTT expresso e-commerce.
The day you receive your order!
When receiving your order, always make sure that the packaging has not been tampered with or if you notice that it is damaged, you have two options:
Reject the order and state on the delivery note to the courier that “I did not receive the order because the packaging is damaged”. Take a photo, where you can see the order code, and immediately contact the store where you made your purchase;
Receive the order, making the same note on the delivery note that the courier asks you to sign. Take photos of the package before opening it and the contents from different angles. After checking the condition of the products, contact the seller within 24 hours at the latest. In both cases, it is advisable to keep all communications with the seller (emails, photos, phone calls, etc.).
Share your experience with other consumers
Sharing is essential to increase knowledge and confidence among other consumers who will certainly look for experiences like yours before deciding to buy. In addition to this advantage, satisfaction ratings are an important mechanism for brands to improve their sales and customer service processes. Without them, it is not possible to have a true understanding of the state of the market.
If things don't go well, start by complaining directly to the seller. If the problem still doesn't work out, you can always contact entities such as Portal da Queixa or even ASAE, through legal mechanisms such as the Complaints Book.
If it is a case of fraud or computer fraud, ALWAYS report it to the police authorities such as the GNR or PSP.
#DontBeADuck Campaign
“The increase in demand through digital channels by Portuguese consumers is a trend that is here to stay, putting pressure on brands by requiring the digitalization of the vast majority of their services. This reality has heightened the dangers that lurk in online shopping. To combat this problem, we have launched a national civic movement – #NãoSejasPato – which aims to increase digital literacy among Portuguese consumers, educating the consumer society to avoid falling for online fraud and scams,” says Sónia Lage Lourenço, CEO of Portal da Queixa by Consumers Trust.
ACEPI Internet access e-commerce safe online shopping consumers in Portugal Online Shopping Day E-Commerce 360 shop safely online QuantumKusta Complaint Portal reliable website Smartlinks
