Online purchase guides

Reliability of a merchant site

Check an online shop

A method of 7 checks to evaluate a merchant site before paying: identity, domain, offer, payment, delivery, returns and reputation.

• Find a company name, address and consistent means of contact.
• Control the spelling and apparent seniority of the domain without confusing HTTPS with trust.
• Read the fees, deadlines, returns and guarantees before opening the payment page.

Check the checklist : Check an online shop

Market places

Buy on a marketplace

Platform, seller, sender: Learn how to distinguish roles on a marketplace and compare an offer before ordering.

• Open the seller's profile and read its available contact details.
• Distinguish seller, platform, sender and payment provider.
• Compare the conditions attached to the precise offer.

Check the checklist : Buy on a marketplace

Responsible procurement

Assess an environmental claim

Durable, recycled, neutral, responsible: Learn to clarify the promise, verify its scope and focus on comparable evidence.

• Transform promise into measurable criteria.
• Check the perimeter and method.
• Distinguish official label, certification and brand argument.

Check the checklist : Assessing an environmental promise

Second hand between individuals

Buy from a private seller

Announcement, identity, status, payment and delivery: a concrete method to verify and document a second-hand purchase from an individual.

• Keep the exchanges in the intended course.
• Require photos and information about the real object.
• Test essential functions before delivery.

Check the checklist : Buy between individuals

A decision before the product

Rent, borrow or buy

Compare purchase, rental and loan with the same number of uses, necessary accessories, transport and discount conditions.

View the fictional worked example : Rent, borrow or buy

• Define a common task and period.
• Add fixed expenses and expenses by use.
• Separate retitutable security and final cost.

Check the checklist : Rent, borrow or buy

Second hand

Second-hand or refurbished

Condition, battery, accessories, warranty and seller: a convenient checklist to compare a used or reconditioned product before purchase.

View the fictional worked example : Used or reconditioned

• Read the definition of the grade specific to each seller.
• Identify the professional or special status of the seller.
• Check battery, accessories, compatibility and locking.

Check the checklist : Used or reconditioned

Before a new purchase

Repair or replace an appliance

A method for comparing diagnostic, repair estimate, new or reconditioned replacement, cost of use and life uncertainty.

View the fictional worked example : Repair or replace a device

• Describe the symptom and keep the exact reference.
• Ask for a quote that separates diagnostics, parts, labour and transport.
• Compare the same service over the same duration.

Check the checklist : Repair or replace a device

Remote mode and fitting

Choose clothing online

Measurements, cutting, fiber, maintenance and return: compare an online garment with concrete information rather than a photo.

View the fictional worked example : Choose clothing online

• From measurements of a garment that is already suitable.
• Read the full composition and maintenance tips.
• Distinguish the cut of the dummy and the cut of the product.

Check the checklist : Choose clothing online

Sport and safety

Choose sports protective equipment

Discipline, size, marking, notice, adjustment and aging: choose a helmet or PPE adapted to the risk and user.

• Choose equipment for the exact discipline.
• Check marking, package leaflet and traceability.
• Measure and test stability and adjustment.

Check the checklist : Choose a sports protection

High-tech and IT

Choose a laptop

Compare software, memory, storage, screen, connectivity, autonomy and maintenance to choose a laptop suitable for your real use.

View the fictional worked example : Choose a laptop

• List the software and their official prerequisites.
• Record the complete references of each configuration.
• Provide charger, adapters and backup in the budget.

Check the checklist : Choose a laptop

Fashion and shoes

Compare shoe sizes and widths

Prepare a purchase of shoes with useful measurements, model guide, material reading and a clean test before deciding on the return.

View the fictional worked example : Compare size and width

• Measure both feet with the seller's method.
• Compare the guide to the exact model.
• Distinguish stem, inner and sole.

Check the checklist : Compare size and width

Cycles and displacements

Plan an electric bike purchase

Compare an electric bike according to your journeys, handling, charging, equipment delivered and possibilities of mounting and maintenance.

View the fictional worked example : Prepare to buy an electric bike

• Describe route, relief and storage.
• Try size, control and handling.
• Check battery, charger and documentation.

Check the checklist : Prepare to buy an electric bike

Books and reading

Choose the right book edition

Identify the edition, language and format of a book before purchase, then compare availability, used status, delivery costs and withdrawal.

View the fictional worked example : Choose the right edition of a book

• Keep the exact bibliographic reference.
• Distinguish language, translation and format.
• Read the status and exclusions of the occasion.

Check the checklist : Choose the right edition of a book

Telephone and digital use

Choose a smartphone for long-term use

Compare a smartphone from your applications, storage, battery, software tracking, and reception and migration controls.

View the fictional worked example : Choose a long-term useful smartphone

• Identify applications, storage and network.
• Compare exact variants.
• Document battery and software tracking.

Check the checklist : Choose a long-term useful smartphone