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	Intro The Experts Let's shop Under the hammer
	THE EXPERTS As the advice seemed to vary from nothing, through "buy from us!" (PADI) to "this is precisely what to look out for", I decided it was time to go to the industry experts for advice. I consulted the European Interactive Advertising Bureau, the UK Department of Trade and Industry, UK Trading Standards, the UK Office for Fair Trading, Net Consumers (the European Research Unit for Consumer Affairs), and the US Federal Trade Commission. By comparing their standards, it was clear that across the world the advice follows the same broad themes: USE A SECURE BROWSER When you submit your personal details and credit card information, you are broadcasting personal data to other computers that could be used to facilitate credit card fraud. The site should enable you to submit all personal information of this nature via software that encrypts or scrambles the information. Look out for the padlock icon appearing on the status bar of your browser before inputting such information, as well as the phrase "https" in the website address, as opposed to "http." Only when these two criteria are met can you guarantee that your details are secure during transmission. Do not submit personal and credit card details via e-mail and be wary of any company that asks you to do so. You are leaving yourself open to the possibility of unauthorised people accessing this information. KNOW THE POLICY Ascertain what the site's policies are in relation to privacy - with whom will it share your personal and financial information? How will it get the equipment to you and under what circumstances will it entertain a refund? What type of warranty will be available to you? Is there a Frequently Asked Questions section? Is the site so complex that it needs one? SHOP WITH TRUSTWORTHY STORES This is a tough one if you have no information about them. The advantage of human interaction is that most of the time we can tell when something is too good to be true, but online our suspicions may not be aroused in the same way. Ask whether the site indicates the location of the company (".uk" in the address line doesn't guarantee that it is in the UK). How can it be contacted? Responsible traders must provide name, address and telephone number as a minimum. Does it also have traditional retial premises? Does it belong to a recognised webtrader scheme? In the UK this may be the government-sponsored TrustUK. Which? magazine's Web Trader scheme has now been withdrawn. If in doubt, e-mail or phone the company. If you receive no reply, can you guarantee that it will respond if you have a genuine complaint? SEE THAT GOODS MEET EUROPEAN STANDARDS The European Personal Protective Equipment Directive applies to diving equipment. It enables such items to be CE-marked by manufacturers, so that products don't need to be tested for conformance to safety standards in each member-country. If you purchase diving equipment in the UK or Europe, it must bear the CE mark. Grey goods may not provide you with the protection required in terms of your consumer and safety needs. This applies particularly to purchases outside Europe. CHECK THE SMALL PRINT It's so easy to hide behind exceptions and self-made rules that are tucked away in an inaccessible part of the website. ASK IF IT'S REALLY COST-EFFECTIVE The price advertised may seem excellent until you add in the postage and packing. If making a purchase from outside the EU, how much will customs, excise duty and VAT come to? What is the description of the item like? Are there pictures? Is there small print that would allow the supplier to provide you with a substitute? What is the price in sterling if quoted in another currency, and which exchange rate is the quoted price based on? Use one specific credit card with an intentionally low credit limit for online purchases (that way no fraud can exceed a certain amount) and always check your statement. Most card companies will refund you for any fraud connected with misuse of your card, but do you need the hassle? Remember, banks ultimately pass on these losses to customers. Use only a credit card for online purchases (between �100 and �30,000). A debit or charge card does not provide you with the same level of protection against fraud, if any at all. If you use a credit card and the online store does not supply you with the goods, or if they are faulty in any way, you may be able to claim against your credit card company. This is especially relevant in the dot.com world, where the nice person you were dealing with online in another country has now gone out of business. Again, a debit or charge card does not provide the same protection.