VISA: "Online shopping is as safe as the high street"

AnnatarsGift

Shopping online is safe right?

Of course not we all know the risks of shopping online and how to avoid being the victims of fraud or buying fake / replica goods. But it is reassuring to know that even with those risks you are covered if you shop online using VISA because as they state "Online shopping is as safe as the high street".

Well that's not quite true is it? Certainly not in my experience. I recently purchased some goods online that were fakes as I forgot to check the validity of the website. Now my money is lost and the only course of action is to raise the matter with trading standards who I'm pretty sure are already aware of the issue and certainly won't get me back my money despite the giant forms they want me to fill out.

So what I would like to know is how can VISA legally claim that with them "Online shopping is as safe as the high street" when it obviously isn't?

If it was the high street I would be able to see the goods first hand before purchasing. I'd have a chance to check the quality of the goods. I'd have a chance to try them out. I'd have a chance of spotting if they were fake / replicas.

If it was the high street I wouldn't need to check the phone number and address of the trader. I would know the address as I would be there. I could see the quality and size of the business before me. I would have a point of contact to go back to in the event of any dispute.

If it was the high street and the trader was dealing in fake / replica items they would have to worry about trading standards being able to easily check them out and their operation. They would have to worry about trading standards swooping in taking their goods and prosecution them. So I would have some level of protection in knowing that the chance of them trading in fakes or replicas was minimal as a result.

None of the above applies to an online retailer operating outside of the UK. Trading standards don't have the same powers when it comes to companies trading online outside of the UK, so there won't be any swooping, seizing of goods or prosecuting (not in the same degree at least and yes I know all about the fake Apple iPod stores in China, etc).

So I repeat how can VISA make these bold claims that "Online shopping is as safe as the high street" and get away with it?

AnnatarsGift

I would post a link to where VISA make their claims but I am still restricted as a new user of these forums.

http /www.visa.co.uk/en/security/online_security/shop_safely_online.aspx

Aha! Managed it by adding a space in there.

Scarpacci

Because it is, it's the truth. One bad experience does not really sway it. How many people really end up buying counterfeit goods when they're shopping at Amazon.co.uk, Play.com or other well known sites? That's the sort of online shopping Visa are talking about - the only sort of online shopping most people will use.

Online shopping is safe, but that doesn't mean people can turn their brain off and not check stores out properly before buying something. Going to some strange, too good to be true site is as safe as buying something from the back of a stranger's truck - if not safer, because of Visa's protections.

The whole point of Visa's statement is that the Internet is as safe not because there isn't some risk of counterfeit goods/being ripped off, but because by using a Visa card they will carry the risk and make the situation right for you. So they're levelling the playing field somewhat in areas where online shopping might be somewhat riskier.

StuC75

But your gripe is more than just fake goods, more that you used a 'dodgy' site; who could take online payments. Was this through Paypal or world pay?? as would be surprised if a dodgy site had full merchant facilities??

High Street isnt so safe anyhow (theft, pick pockets etc)..

Other than that its just a marketing Tag line, such as Tesco 'Every little helps'...

Stella has 'reassuringly expensive' - but have you seen how cheap supermakets have it in offers..

aleph_0

It might be useful to post more details. For purchases over £100, you have Section 75 protection, which makes the card issuer jointly liable. So if the retailer goes out of business, or the goods you are sold are not described, the card issuer is jointly liable.

For purchases under £100, there is the chargeback scheme. This isn't a legal obligation on the card company, but is a guarantee Visa provide, if the goods aren't as described, or the retailer goes into administration etc.:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/visa-mastercard-chargeback

Apparently the companies aren't as aware of the latter protection, but the article above provides a useful template letter.

StuC75

AnnatarsGift wrote: »

I would post a link to where VISA make their claims but I am still restricted as a new user of these forums.

http /www.visa.co.uk/en/security/online_security/shop_safely_online.aspx

Aha! Managed it by adding a space in there.

have you read where it states -

More on Verified by Visa
If you want to use your Visa card on a website that isn’t offering Verified by Visa yet, then you should follow these simple safeguards:

Shop with retailers you know about, or research them first to ensure they are reputable and reliable.

Before buying, read the delivery and return policies that should be on the retailer’s website. Can unsatisfactory items be sent back? If the items are faulty, can you get a refund or a credit note?

such steps should be taken with all online shopping experiences...

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

AnnatarsGift wrote: »

I would post a link to where VISA make their claims but I am still restricted as a new user of these forums.

http /www.visa.co.uk/en/security/online_security/shop_safely_online.aspx

Aha! Managed it by adding a space in there.

Here ya go...
http://www.visa.co.uk/en/security/online_security/shop_safely_online.aspx

AnnatarsGift

Scarpacci wrote: »

because by using a Visa card they will carry the risk and make the situation right for you

No they won't. Not if you have received the goods as their is no payment fraud. If the goods are fake then they bear no resposibility for your own stupidity and only trading standards can help you.

StuC75 wrote: »

High Street isnt so safe anyhow (theft, pick pockets etc)..

I'm not claiming the high street is safe.

StuC75 wrote: »

Other than that its just a marketing Tag line, such as Tesco 'Every little helps'...

Marketing tag lines they are fine, but if they do make a claim that is measurable by some metric then they have to be able to rpove that it is the truth. If Tesco claims to be the cheapest supermarket then they woul dhave to be able to back up that claim. If safety shopping in supermarkets was an issue and Tesco claimed they were as safe as Asda for shopping then they would have to be able to back up those claims.

[Deleted User]

lol. Visa didn't supply you with fake goods. Their comment is relating to security, i.e. using your card on the internet is as safe as using your card in a chip and pin reader.

Learn to internet.

lisyloo

If the goods are fake then they bear no resposibility for your own stupidity

If you have bought something massively underpriced then it's pretty obvious that it's a fake.
If that's the case (and I'm not assuming it is) then I don't see why companies and ultimately other customers should subsidise.

If you want a genuine article then you should go to a site (or shop) that you have checked in genuinely licensed for that item.

Sorry but I don't have a great deal of sympathy here.

AnnatarsGift

StuC75 wrote: »

have you read where it states -

More on Verified by Visa
If you want to use your Visa card on a website that isn’t offering Verified by Visa yet, then you should follow these simple safeguards:

Shop with retailers you know about, or research them first to ensure they are reputable and reliable.

Before buying, read the delivery and return policies that should be on the retailer’s website. Can unsatisfactory items be sent back? If the items are faulty, can you get a refund or a credit note?

such steps should be taken with all online shopping experiences...

Yes I'm well aware of all that and that is what is so annoying, because for once I let my guard down and didn't check all those things. If I had an address I would return the goods and claim a refund but the site doesn't provide one nor have they in response to my numerous emails. I always thought at least with VISA they would have my back, but that is not the case if you do receive the goods as their is no fraud. If the goods are fake or poor quality then it is a case for trading standards.