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Online_Consumers_ _What_Are_They_Complaining_About
| Online Consumers - What Are They Complaining About?
For many businesses, e-commerce represents a tremendous method
for generating revenues. To maximize the profit potential, you
need to keep an eye on issues that drive your prospects nuts.
The FTC maintain a list of the top 10 “dot.cons” complained
about by consumers. If your site falls within one of these
industries, you must make sure you address these concerns.
Consumer Complaints
According to the FTC, here's what online consumers are
complaining about most:
Internet Auctions
The Bait: Shop in a "virtual marketplace" that offers a huge
selection of products at great deals.
The Catch: After sending their money, consumers say they've
received an item that is less valuable than promised, or, worse
yet, nothing at all.
Internet Access Services
The Bait: Free money, simply for cashing a check.
The Catch: Consumers say they've been "trapped" into long-term
contracts for Internet access or another web service, with big
penalties for cancellation or early termination.
Credit Card Fraud
The Bait: Surf the Internet and view adult images online for
free, just for sharing your credit card number to prove you're
over 18.
The Catch: Consumers say that fraudulent promoters have used
their credit card numbers to run up charges on their cards.
International Modem Dialing
The Bait: Get free access to adult material and pornography by
downloading a "viewer" or "dialer" computer program.
The Catch: Consumers complained about exorbitant long-distance
charges on their phone bill. Through the program, their modem is
disconnected, then reconnected to the Internet through an
international long-distance number.
Web Cramming
The Bait: Get a free custom-designed website for a 30-day trial
period, with no obligation to continue.
The Catch: Consumers say they've been charged on their telephone
bills or received a separate invoice, even if they never
accepted the offer or agreed to continue the service after the
trial period.
Multilevel Marketing Plans/ Pyramids
The Bait: Make money through the products and services you sell
as well as those sold by the people you recruit into the program.
The Catch: Consumers say that they've bought into plans and
programs, but their customers are other distributors, not the
general public. Some multi-level marketing programs are actually
illegal pyramid schemes. When products or services are sold only
to distributors like yourself, there's no way to make money.
Travel and Vacation
The Bait: Get a luxurious trip with lots of "extras" at a
bargain-basement price.
The Catch: Consumers say some companies deliver lower-quality
accommodations and services than they've advertised or no trip
at all. Others have been hit with hidden charges or additional
requirements after they've paid.
Business Opportunities
The Bait: Be your own boss and earn big bucks.
The Catch: Taken in by promises about potential earnings, many
consumers have invested in a "biz op" that turned out to be a
"biz flop." There was no evidence to back up the earnings claims.
Investments
The Bait: Make an initial investment in a day trading system or
service and you'll quickly realize huge returns.
The Catch: Big profits always mean big risk. Consumers have lost
money to programs that claim to be able to predict the market
with 100 percent accuracy.
Health Care Products/Services
The Bait: Items not sold through traditional suppliers are
"proven" to cure serious and even fatal health problems.
The Catch: Claims for "miracle" products and treatments convince
consumers that their health problems can be cured. But people
with serious illnesses who put their hopes in these offers might
delay getting the health care they need.
A Problem For Your Site?
These issues must be addressed if your site falls in one of
these categories. Simply raise the issue in a prominent area of
the site and tell the prospect why it will not be a problem on
your site. Failure to do so will result in lost sales.
About the author:
Richard A. Chapo is a business lawyer with SanDiegoBus
inessLawFirm.com - This article is for information
purposes only. Read more business law articles to help your business.
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