Online Transactions

Online Shopping by Children and Teens

Children and teens may be deceived by items that turn out to be not as big, as much fun as they looked online, or of acceptable quality. Young people often do not understand the real cost of some purchases and they may also give out personal information without realizing the consequences. Teach them to be aware of the risks and show them how to protect themselves when buying online.

Here are links to some websites that can help you and your family become Internet savvy:

• Media Awareness Network
• Be Web Aware
• Canadian Marketing Association
• Advertising Standards Canada

Online Auctions

• Online auctions can be risky. Know what you're buying and get a description of the item in writing in case the product does not meet your expectations.
• When you are buying from a private individual, consumer protection laws may not protect you. Read the rules of the auction site; better sites will keep records of customer satisfaction and should also have dispute resolution mechanisms.

Buying Internationally

• Remember, buying internationally involves more risk. Different laws and standards apply, often making it difficult to resolve potential conflicts to your satisfaction if a problem arises.
• Check the Canada Border Services Agency Web site regarding the admissibility requirements of certain goods.
• When calculating the price, factor in shipping and handling costs, taxes, duty and currency conversion.
• Check that products meet Canadian safety standards. To find out what the Canadian standards are for the item you plan to purchase, visit the Canadian Standards Association’s international Web site.