Shopping sites: How to shop safely abroad

Have you ever wanted to buy clothes of a style you couldn't find anywhere? Or a piece that you saw in a physical store and was super expensive?

Little problems like this can be solved with purchases from foreign sites. Among its main advantages are the huge variety of models and styles, the convenience of not having to beat malls and stores, and the price, which can be extremely inviting when compared to physical stores.

All you have to do is always be aware of the conversion of the values ​​to real and the rates that purchases can receive when arriving in Brazil.

Check out some of the most amazing gringo online stores and everything you need to know for conscious shopping:

Aliexpress

It is a Chinese website where several independent sellers make their products available. Therefore, the shipping times of each product and the exchange and return rules are set according to each seller's policy. The biggest attraction of Aliexpress is undoubtedly the very cheap price of clothes, but beware: as many sellers are from China, the sizes are usually smaller than the Brazilian standard.

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Mini in the Box

Mini in the Box is an online store that offers everything you can imagine for mobile phone accessories, as well as electronics, jewelry and watches among its products. There are two delivery methods: Standard, more expensive, which takes 10 to 25 days to arrive, and Economical, cheaper, which takes 15 to 35 days to arrive. The site does not add taxes; All the customer pays is the price of the product. In the event of a return, you must email the Customer Service Department: [email protected].

Alone

Is Asos a British store famous for its huge range of parts? It ranges from party clothes to basic clothing, petit and plus size. It also works with Standard and Express deliveries (cheaper and more expensive respectively) and the delivery time is calculated only after the customer enters his address? For Brazil, it usually takes up to 9 business days. For return, the store must register the receipt of the item back in order for the money to be returned to your account.

Light In The Box

Is it possible to find everything on LightInTheBox? from home and garden items to hair extensions! Does the store attract low prices and has various shipping methods? the most expensive comes from 3 to 5 days and the cheapest comes from 10 to 20 days. Shipping costs are calculated only when the purchase is being finalized. There are no extra tax costs. If you need to return a product, the store asks the customer to contact Customer Support at [email protected].

Nordstrom

Those looking for sophisticated and branded clothing will find paradise at Nordstrom, which now also delivers in Brazil. Shipping cost is calculated based on purchased items, which typically arrive within 5 to 13 business days. But beware: don't international orders get free returns? ie you will have to bear the shipping costs of the product back in order to be reimbursed.

Deal Extreme

Technology aficionados should already know Deal Extreme, this store with a huge variety of gadgets and accessories for cheap prices. There are several ways of shipping from which the customer can choose, with different prices and delivery times. For returns, you need to check the warranty period and contact the store SAC by phone or in real time chat.

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eBay

On Ebay, can you find everything you need? and what you don't need too! Does the site offer a wide range and diversity of sellers from around the world? which ultimately causes shipping times and costs to change from seller to seller. But unlike regular stores, Ebay works like an auction, where you have to bid the best to get the product.

DH Gate

DH Gate is a superstore in the same style as Aliexpress and LightInTheBox: many products of all kinds where low prices are a big draw. There are a total of 8 shipping options, where the shortest delivery time is 4 business days and the longest is 54 days. The site has a certain bureaucracy for returned items, classifying four types of returns and may take up to 90 days to return your money.

7 Tips for Safe Internet Shopping

If you see all these stores already gave you that desire to buy, calm down! Before putting your credit card into action, clear up any doubts with lawyer Taisa Santana, a consumer law expert:

1.How are taxes collected on an online shopping site? Are they the same as clothes sold at a physical store?

The taxes applied to products sold over the internet are the same as those offered in physical stores. Remember that, in the case of international sales websites, the tax regime is different, with international purchases subject to fees and taxes, depending on the type of product purchased, origin and value of purchase. All international purchases are subject to Brazilian Federal Revenue supervision.

Also read: 10 cool and cheap clothes online stores

2. What are the rights the consumer has in an online purchase (for example, right of repentance, exchange and return)?

In your art. 49, the Consumer Code provides that contracting to provide services or products outside the business, especially by telephone or catalogs, is subject to consumer regret. The period for repentance, also known as the cooling off period, is 7 business days from the signing of the contract or the receipt of the product. Thus, wishing to exercise the right of repentance, provided that acting in good faith, any sums paid are returned to the consumer. But one must keep in mind that not every internet purchase is subject to regret. For example, if purchasing products and services over the internet is marketed as if the consumer were in a physical store, such as the purchase of movie tickets, airline tickets, etc., there is no right to regret.

Regarding returns and exchanges, regardless of the place of purchase, the consumer may give up in two situations: when there is a product addiction or when the purchase characterizes non-fulfillment of the offer. In this case, the buyer must inform the supplier of the problem and, if the company does not correct it within 30 days, may cancel the purchase and get their money back. If you prefer, you may require replacement of the defective product with a similar product in perfect condition. Remember that the Consumer Protection Code applies to national relations? If consumers make purchases on websites with international hosting, they should observe the marketing rules in the countries of origin of the site.

3. Should stores offer different payment methods?

The product and service provider is not required to offer different means of payment other than cash in cash. The Consumer Protection agencies clarify that the establishment is not required to receive check or card, but should make the information clearly visible so that the customer can choose the best way to pay and not be embarrassed or inconvenienced. It is important to note that the amounts charged by retailers must be the same for cash or credit card payments.

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4. How to research or understand if a site is reliable and has a good reputation?

The consumer should be aware, seek information about the site with friends or family or consult the Consumer Protection and Protection Bodies, such as Procons and IDEC (Brazilian Institute of Consumer Protection), seeking to know about the existence of registration of complaints. The consumer can also check the identification of the company's registration and its registration data in the National Register of Legal Entities (CNPJ), on the website of the IRS of Brazil. The Procon Foundation of Sao Paulo makes available on its website a list of sites that should be avoided, as they had records of consumer complaints, were notified and did not respond or were not found. In some other states, complaints can also be consulted. Before purchasing, it is also important to check the company's privacy policy and the security and protection measures available to its users.

5. Is there a deadline regulation?

There is still no regulation on delivery time, always valid what was offered and contracted. Delivery time information should be provided at the time of purchase so that the consumer can make their planning and analyze whether the proposed deadline meets their expectations. The consumer, therefore, is not obliged to accept late delivery, a fact that configures non-compliance by the company. Therefore, you have the right to undo the purchase when it is in your best interest.

6. What to do if the international purchase is held by the post office?

All imported orders are subject to the control and supervision of the IRS. Purchases go through a screening of content verification and application of import taxes. Upon arrival of the goods, the packages are separated and sent to special sectors, where they are inspected and pass the tax analysis. In this way, goods from other countries may be held for analysis and investigation.It turns out that many consumers are unaware, for example, of the existence of this inspection, the deadlines for release and delivery set by the IRS and the Post Office, as well as the amounts of taxation. If the international purchase has been withheld, the Consumer must attend the Post Office and inquire about the reasons for the withholding and the deadline, and, if applicable, proceed to the settlement or payment of the tax, then receive your goods. .

7. If you have a problem with online shopping, who should you turn to?

If you have problems with online shopping, the consumer should initially try to contact the establishment, product or service provider. If the problem is not solved, you can resort to consumer protection agencies and entities, such as Procon, Idec (Institute of Consumer Protection), Decon (Department of Consumer Protection), or even the judiciary. It is important that the Consumer has all records of purchase, order, confirmations, emails exchanged, proof of payment etc. Remember that in international purchases, where there is no representation in the country, the consumer is restricted to complain to the company.

Now you can take advantage of gringo online stores and shop safely and responsibly!

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