Internet Shopping Arghhh!

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StarMapp

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I rarely order anything on the internet, or previous to that, the phone. In this case, the only place that offered the medical component I needed is on the internet. I placed my order with this well known E company, and the app shows there was one available. I gave them my credit card data, which I did with an uncomfortable empty pit in my stomach. I entered everything and I was given a ticket trace number, all is OK so far. A day later I was sent the message that they were out of stock. Now I was disappointed for a second, then I realized I gave them all my credit info!!!. (Good thing I set up the card with a 800$ limit.) So it occurred to me this company picks up key data, THEN waits for the seller to deliver.

Why am I posting this? Because these companies are not being policed and the public needs to know that. The law should force these people to “reserve” an item once it has been paid, this way they can’t bulk pack multiple gross orders, which I suspect is the business problem. It should be a criminal offense and follow with a business license loss.

So it’s just a matter of time that a ruse gets noticed and all that personal credit info on some trash heap in Beijing gets sold to some unscrupulous criminals. Well at least in my case it won’t pay them much.
 
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I guess I’m missing what was done wrong. Have they not offered you a refund, or did you ask and were refused? I’ve placed online orders to only get an email saying the item was out of stock. I was given a refund.
 
After my transaction I am left without an item, and everyone they choose to have it, aware of my credit information.

The app said there was an item still available, that was wrong and someone in the company knew or should have known there was none left.

If to complete the order, sensitive data needs to be gotten for the sale, then verification needs to done first. Not doing so creates a potential for deliberate fraud because an element of trust is involved. Potential risk is there. Anyone can use that information for their own financial gain. All they need to do is change the address and send the card info that you just supplied.

By simply stating an item is always available, they create a one way invitation to obtain critical financial information.
 
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In fairness, even if the item was in stock they still could have given your information to another party.

I disagree that it’s “deliberate fraud” because with online shopping, there is always a chance of an item selling out. Multiple orders can come in for processing at the same time. Reputable retailers will provide you with a refund. Were you charged and not given a refund?
 
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No, if my data ends up in someone hands and he tries to buy a motorcycle, he in for a disappointment with my card limit.
 
I don’t know why you think this company purposefully tried to defraud you. I’ve placed order with Sephora (a more than reputable retailer) and after my order has been submitted, I’ve gotten emails saying that one or more items was now out of stock. I received a refund. I don’t how that constitues attempted fraud.
 
Yes but you and they were looking at it on the shelf before purchase. In this case, you can’t be there, so you need to trust that someone will notice it’s not there.
 
You were looking at the webpage, which may not have “real time” updates of current stock. Also, the warehouse could be on a completely different side of the country, so it’s not noticed that the item is not available until the warehouse gets the order.

As it seems you weren’t charged, I don’t see this as anything other than an inconvenience to you.
 
I have never had a problem shopping online, but I order only from reputable retailers. The only time my credit card was hacked, was shopping at the mall years ago during the crazy Christmas season. Because I check my credit card balance every day I noticed the charges and called the bank immediately. They canceled the card sent me a new one and after about a month, refunded me for the charges. It was easy to prove that the charges were not mine as the card info had been used to buy/deliver things outside of North America.
 
StarMapp said:
No, if my data ends up in someone hands and he tries to buy a motorcycle, he in for a disappointment with my card limit.
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Oh, then there’s no fraud. Things do go out-of-stock sometimes. In a physical store, you could see if someone grabbed the last one off the shelf right in front of you. On the internet, you can’t see that.
 
Someone can end up with your credit card data from anywhere. My husband’s card info was stolen by a worker at the Jiffy Lube (auto shop). Restaurant workers used to steal card info frequently also. Nothing particularly extra risky about the Internet.
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
Nothing particularly extra risky about the Internet.
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I have done a lot of my shopping on the internet for years and years. I mostly buy from companies I know. If I want to buy from a new company, I do my research. I use PayPal whenever it’s available. And I have never had a company steal my info from a purchase.

Yes, I know that there’s a small amount of luck involved. But common sense goes a long way.
 
StarMapp said:
After my transaction I am left without an item, and everyone they choose to have it, aware of my credit information.
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They would have had your credit card information even if the item had been in stock. Trying to buy an out of stock item doesn’t create some special vulnerability that buying an in stock item wouldn’t have.

Assuming you were dealing with a reputable online merchant, there’s nothing to worry about.
 
StarMapp said:
The law should force these people to “reserve” an item once it has been paid
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To be accurate, any online retailer I have ever used does not actually charge your credit card until the item is shipped. So, yes, they took your info, but you hadn’t paid for it yet.

I understand being disappointed by it. My wife does a lot of online shopping. This sort of stuff happens sometimes.

If you are using a reputable online retailer, they take your credit card security very seriously. All it takes is one breach and their credibility and customer trust goes way down. They don’t want that to happen if only because it would hurt their business.
 
Because of concerns like this, I have taken to using Apple Pay. Android and Google also offer this service. The store never gets your credit card number. They receive a token for that purchase linked to your card but NO credit card information. You DO have to trust someone in the chain however. For Apple Pay, you are trusting Apple for security and ditto for Android or Google. Since Apple isn’t in the advertising business and is noted for security and privacy of your information, I trust them. Of course, you must also trust the bank issuing the card!

While there is an initial setup for Apple Pay, after that it is the easiest and very painless process to make purchases…as long as they accept Apple Pay or others. Those that don’t, using Pay Pal is probably the next best thing. Once again the store doesn’t get your CC number!
 
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