My dad and me are looking to buy a camera gatget, but the only place we can but it seems to be at this site here :
http://gadget.brando.com.hk/index.php
The site itself "looks" legit but since its based in hong kong and there are all sorts of horror stories about credit card fraud my dad is reluctant to hand over credit card info to this site in order to purchase the item
i was wondering if anyone knows of the site is reliable or if there is a database of bad/good online shops somewhere
any reply would be much appreciated
they take paypal try to get him to open a paypal account, that way if they arnt legit paypal will protect you and you will get your money back and paypal will stop other ppl from paying to that account until they sort themselves out
using paypal is like having special forces sercurity for your credit card unlike group4 that the cards offer
i recently had a problem with a hk based shop selling me a item which was wrongly advertised, i emailed them to refund and i would return the item and they hmm and harred, until i raised a grieveance on paypal then they paid up
I thought paypal only guaranteed payment with ebay. If you can't use a credit card I would not buy it.
i cant access paypal from work, but i think it is the same for all purchases
From Paypal website:
13.10 What is the PayPal Buyer Complaint Policy?
The PayPal Buyer Complaint Policy is a process to help you resolve a problem with a seller through the PayPal Resolution Centre for purchases that are not eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection. It is similar to PayPal Buyer Protection in that it enables buyers to file a Dispute for an Item Not Received (INR) or for an item Significantly Not as Described (SNAD). However, recovery of any amounts is not guaranteed and is limited to the amounts that PayPal can recover from the seller’s Account, even if it finds in your favour.
read it all here
https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/policy_pbp-outside#pbp-policy
What are you trying to buy? We have a few camera boffs on here who may be able to help you source one locally.
PEN
Paypall can be used for several sites so should be good.
Over here in the NL we have several ways to pay for online stuff.
I still prefer creditcard though.
At least you're fully covered for fraud with a credit card...
PEN
Although not infallible, my golden rule is: If they won't tell me where they live I won't buy from them. Personally, I'd not deal with them, they look 'ookey.
I'm with Arm on this one. If you buy via credit card and paypal your twice as secure. You are protecting under the distance of selling act i think and you have two ways of getting your money back. However, I should check around for a few reviews of the site just for added security.
I'm not quite convinced that a Hong Kong-based business would have to comply with a UK Statutory Instrument like the Distance Selling Regulations, and I may be wrong, but if you buy via Paypal and the money is drawn from your credit card to your Paypal account then I do not believe your credit card company would accept liability as they provided cash not a payment to an approved retailer? Perhaps someone with more legal exzpertise would like to comment on this aspect?
Having said that I would agree that going down the credit card route would be best as the card company would hold joint and severable liability for the product sale. One of my tests is usually whether or not the business has a credit card payment facility (credit card companies do not freely hand out retailer approvals), if they have then they have usually had a slight bit of financial vetting although it is still no guarantee that you're safe.
TL.
I think paypal is great for ease of use and speed, but only when using a business you can depend on like PLAY or Burtons etc.
I once got ripped off on ebay and Paypal were rubbish I paid £35 which I never received.
Paypal got me £16 and when I tried to enquire further I was told the situation was resolved.
Further pushing and I found out the £16 was all that was available in the thieves account.
I heard no more about it :ranting2:
I have brought quite a few hong kong things off ebay but never more than about £12.
So I too would be careful.