Mail-order goods advice

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 415, 3 December 1991, Page 13

Mail-order goods advice

CONSUMER COLUMN

BY

ani

WAAKA

Mail order is quickly, becoming a popular way to buy and sell goods. Many people have been burnt, however, by mail order schemes which do not provide the goods as promised, or vanish into thin air along with the money that consumers have sent in. Often mail order schemes offer goods at prices that you may not be able to get in stores around town, which makes the offer seem very attractive. The advertisment will usually require that the consumer sends the money straight away and that the goods will be sent at a later date. It is very difficult to tell, until it is too late, if a mail order company is legitimate or if you will be "ripped off" and will never see your

money again - so it is always best to make a few enquiries before answering these advertisments. Some mail order companies are members of the New Zealand Direct Marketing Associaton. Members must comply with a code of ethics which provides protection for the consumer. The code requires that any advertising is fair and not misleading in any way. The code also requires that the goods are sent to the consumer within the time stated in the advertisments, or if no time is mentioned, within 30 days of receipt of payment. If there is a delay, the company must contact the consumer and offer them the chance to cancel the order and receive a refund of their money. If you are unsure of whether a mail order

company is above board or not, it is worth contacting the association to see if they are a member. If they are, you will be protected against unfair trading practices or losing your money alltogether. If the company is not a member of the Association, make some initial enquiries to the address given on the advertisment. If a company only gives a Post Office Box number as a contact, they may have taken advantage of the Post Office's 'confidential listing'. This will mean that even if you want to contact the people behind the company, you may not be able to find out who they are. Remember to try and get as much information as you can before you

send-any money away - you may save yourself the frustration and worry of losing money to an unscrupulous mail order company. If you have any problems, don't forget to

contact your local Community Advice Service, or Community Law Centre or ring me at the Consumer Advice Service of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, tollfree on (04) 473-4490.