Have you ever had your holiday plans disrupted by a bad online shopping experience, like a gift that never arrived? If so, you're not alone. As the holiday season approaches, the chances of running into issues with online orders increase. But don’t worry—there are ways to protect yourself. With online holiday shopping the preferred option for many consumers today, here are a few best practices to keep in mind, from placing your orders to receiving and verifying your deliveries.
Be a Savvy Shopper
You’re excited about a great deal, only to receive a damaged or completely different item—or sometimes, nothing at all. To help you stay ahead of these potential problems, it’s important to take a few precautions before and after your purchase:
- Ensure the product you’re purchasing is exactly what you want.
- Verify the brand name, check the size or dimensions of the product.
- Inspect your purchase immediately.
- Look for any signs of damage, discrepancies, or counterfeit goods.
- Take some photos of the item and its packaging—this can serve as proof of its condition when you receive it.
While many well-known retailers have consumer-friendly policies, it’s always worth reviewing their terms before committing to a purchase. If you’re considering an order from a small business or a company you’ve never shopped with before, take the time to read their terms and conditions and look for customer reviews to evaluate their reliability.
Extra caution is especially important when buying from third-party sellers through online marketplaces, as scams tend to spike during the holiday season. Always be wary of scam websites—check for "https://" in the web address to ensure a secure connection. For example, nike2024airjordandeals.com is not an official Nike website. And remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Payment Options
Many online retailers now accept payments through digital wallets, which can provide extra security by protecting your card information. Be cautious if a seller asks for payment through peer-to-peer (P2P) services like CashApp, or Venmo—these transactions are treated as cash transfers, not product purchases, making disputes impossible to file against the seller.
Shipping & Delivery
Use services that provide tracking numbers and enable delivery notifications so you can keep tabs on your shipment. For expensive items, consider shipping to your workplace or requiring a signature upon delivery, it ensures that your package is delivered safely and directly to you. Most online retailers aren’t responsible if a package is stolen from your porch, and they may not replace or refund the item.
Retain Documentation
When shopping online always keep your digital receipts. It is standard for online retailers to send order confirmations and invoices, and many will follow-up with shipping and delivery updates as well. It’s important to retain this documentation in case something goes wrong with your order.
What if Something Goes Wrong?
In the event you do not receive your order in the expected timeframe, or you receive a damaged or different product, you should always reach out to the merchant first for resolution. If there was an error, they can often resolve the issue faster than through a dispute claim. However, if the merchant is unable or unwilling to correct the problem with your online purchase, you could reach out to Metro Credit Union to initiate a dispute claim if you made the purchase using a Metro debit or credit card.
How to Dispute a Purchase
If you need to dispute a purchase, it's essential to document everything, including your attempts to resolve the issue directly with the seller. If you are unable to resolve the issue, you have at least 60 days after the charge originally posted to file a dispute with Metro Credit Union.
To file a dispute, gather all relevant documents, such as photos, receipts, and communication records, and then call us at 800-301-8549, message us via Online Banking, or stop by your nearest branch location.
Once you submit your claim to Metro Credit Union, we will begin the review process to assess the details of your submission. If we require additional information, we may reach out to you via email for clarification. Typically, the entire process takes about 30 to 45 days to evaluate your claim, and you can expect to receive an email with the outcome within 60 to 90 days of your submission.
How to Report Fraud
If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud or have unrecognized transactions on your Metro Credit Union account, freeze or block the affected card on our mobile app and contact us immediately:
- By Phone: 402.551.3052
- In Person: Visit one of our branches
- Online: Use the secure Message Center in the Metro Credit Union app or website
