Any hints for buying online?

I am purchasing a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 camera to carry on my bike to film cycling hazards. Details at http://panasonic.com.au/Products/Lumix/Tough/DMC-FT3/Overview RRP is $599.

I am not accustomed to shopping online. Have bypassed international companies with a base in Australia, goods sent from overseas, and unbelievable low prices. Some do not come with manufacturer's warranty and must be returned overseas. “Grey” items?

Looking at 3 Australian companies:
1. Ryda Dot Com with showroom at 730 Parramatta Road, Petersham NSW. http://www.ryda.com.au
Price $514.85 plus shipping $14.65 so total $529.50. Includes extras valued at $70 to $89.95, so total price more like $460 to $439.55. Extras are 6 piece cleaning kit ($24.95), STPT Pocket Mini Pod ($39.95) and medium camera case ($24.95), all by Bower.

2. ShopRite Enterprises based at 8/10 Reid Promenade, Joondalup WA. http://www.shoprite.com.au
 If become member, the price appears to be $440. Do not know freight or insurance cost.

3. Camera Store based in Adelaide but no address details. Can order by phone on 1800155067. http://www.camerastore.com.au 100% Australian owned and operated. $479 + $16 for freight and insurance so total $495.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew on June 28, 2011 at 0:56
Two things I been told, use a visa or mastercard debit card (as opposed to a credit card) and make sure that the payment site starts with the address of https not http. I believe it means the site is encrypted and therefore secure.
Permalink Reply by Mark H on June 28, 2011 at 10:59

It's actually better to use a credit card, rather than a debit card. There are more consumer protections for credit transactions. You will eventually get your money back for fraudulent credit transactions.

 

Whereas using a debit card will limit your losses to the amount available in the account - but the losses may remain your loss.

 

A quick google found this supporting article. DebitCardsTooRiskyForBigPurchases

Permalink Reply by Andrew on June 28, 2011 at 17:07
Thanks for the info Mark!
Permalink Reply by CLP on June 28, 2011 at 1:29

I've purchased before from Ryda...    Ordered a Garmin Edge 705 one day, arrived on my desk the next day. can't ask for better than that. 

 

If you're a bit wary about using a credit card online, see if you can get one with a lower limit (~$500 maybe)   ..   or set up a dedicated account with your bank with an attached debit card that you can use for your online shopping.  either way will limit your losses should something unpleasant happen. That being said, banks have a pretty good reputation as far as refunding fraudulent charges, so your risk is reasonably small, especially if you shop with a reputable online company. 

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Don Plush on June 28, 2011 at 7:39
Camera Store is owned by Diamonds/Photographic Wholesalers.  I have not bought from them online but I have bought stuff (Canon DSLR) from Photographic Wholesalers on Hutt Street.  I have known PW's to bargain a bit on price if you ask and have a valid "Australian quote" for "Australian products".  So maybe get your best online quote and then go in and see them to see what price they can do over the counter.
Permalink Reply by colin ware-lane on June 28, 2011 at 14:14
i always use paypal and you are protected if its a boggus site.
Permalink Reply by heather on June 28, 2011 at 14:18

I have not used paypal.

Could also check that the phone number and address agree in the phone book, if an online and physical store.

Permalink Reply by GlenM on June 30, 2011 at 16:43
You can use google maps and street view to see the store if it has a shopfront
Permalink Reply by heather on July 3, 2011 at 18:55

GeorgeB, I used www.nearmap.com and it does not recognise 730 Paramatta Road, Petersham NSW which Ryda Dot Com gives as their address.

CLP has bought from Ryda, so perhaps he can explain it.

Permalink Reply by Mike Brisco on June 29, 2011 at 15:05
Paypal - lots use it, but  Paypal charges a few % commission on transactions. Sometimes they bill the seller, sometimes they bill the buyer. Check.
Permalink Reply by Peter Baylis on July 3, 2011 at 15:57

Anoyther vote here for Paypal, a recent problem with an overseas supplier had the Paypal account refunded in two days with no further questions.

 

Peter B

 

Permalink Reply by Mike Brisco on June 29, 2011 at 15:04

Yup - Camerastore looks like the on-line arm, of Diamond Photographics in Rundle St Adelaide. The fax number is the same. 

 

?worth phoning Diamonds, asking if, by any chance ,they are related. If so  you could visit the store and  view/pay for the camera. though they will still mail it to you.

 

 I've bought  books  on line, pay bills, do banking, bought airline tickets etc - no  hassles, including sites overseas.

Large, well known businesses - should be ok - they have their good name to look after.  Smaller local ones -  always one is a bit cautious. Worth checking if they also have a physical presence ie give an address, a web page for a shop etc.  

For payments - make sure the site tells you,  it has encryption, or is secure. That reduces the risk, of someone else nabbing your account details, off the internet.

Keep an eye on your credit card statements, for  purchases you didnt authorize. Let the bank know straight away. Perhpas means someone else got hold of your account details, and billed it for something you didnt order.   With e-commerce, banks saved a heap of money, not needing tellers, cash and cheques - but to get people to use it, the banks found they needed to be a lot better at sorting out problems, than they usually are.

Finally some credit cards offer protection schemes, for purchases made with the card. Check.

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