How do you know if a random online store is trustworhy?

[OverVolt]

Well, I was going to buy some cordless phone batteries, except nothing but random online stores carry them.

http://www.phonecityusa.com/ph...bj2142&channelid=FROOG

That place seemed pretty good. Seems the batteries go in that price range(I need 4), it's based in the USA, has a phone number, paypal verified, etc.

Would you use a debit card there? I'm not sure I want to. I don't shop online enough that I have a separate CC for online use.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

it would be an overly elaborate scam to get 7 bucks from you.

 

[OverVolt]

No it's not the $7, it's the CC info. Do not trust.

 

[JasonCoder]

ResellerRatings.com

They have a pretty good list but not exhaustive by any stretch.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: JasonCoder
ResellerRatings.com

They have a pretty good list but not exhaustive by any stretch.

I checked for him and it's not there. Google does not bring up anything either.

KT

 

[IceBergSLiM]

contact the local chamber of commerce

PhoneCityUSA.com
23382 Madero Road Suite K
Mission Viejo, CA 92691

 

[mcvickj]

http://www.batteriesplus.com/ Highly recommended.

 

[Kelvrick]

Why the fuck do people use Debit cards?!?

Credit cards, learn to love them! Why do you need a "special" online cc? When in even more doubt, use a one-time use generator. God damn, this is like that wedding invitation thread all over again, but for $7.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Why the fuck do people use Debit cards?!?

Credit cards, learn to love them! Why do you need a "special" online cc? When in even more doubt, use a one-time use generator. God damn, this is like that wedding invitation thread all over again, but for $7.

Because BofA gives me 100% fraud protection on my debit card, just like a CC.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Is it Newegg or DealExtreme? If not, don't go for it.

...oh yeah, bigbobshouseofmeatandautoparts.com is also totally trustworthy.

 

[Apathetic]

Originally posted by: JasonCoder
ResellerRatings.com

They have a pretty good list but not exhaustive by any stretch.

Another vote for resellerratings.

Dave

 

[ViviTheMage]

if they are not on reseller ratings be wary...

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Why the fuck do people use Debit cards?!?

Credit cards, learn to love them! Why do you need a "special" online cc? When in even more doubt, use a one-time use generator. God damn, this is like that wedding invitation thread all over again, but for $7.

Because BofA gives me 100% fraud protection on my debit card, just like a CC.

But if you've lost money in a scam or something, you are out that amount of money until BoA returns it to you, whereas a CC, it's not your money that's "lost".

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
if they are not on reseller ratings be wary...

 

[T9D]

...

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
if they are not on reseller ratings be wary...

This was true a few years ago, not so much anymore.

Think about it. Why would someone go through a ton of trouble to rate a positive experience for a cheap item? It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of these new sites are people that got pissed at Ebay and started up their own gig.

I have had great experiences with a couple places that I couldn't find any info on. I have had horrible experiences with websites that had awesome ratings.

Use a CC or a debit card that gives you protection.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: v1001
Not worth having to cancel another CC and have one reissued again.

If you are worried, just do a one time use number with a maximum payment of $1 more than the total price of your item + shipping. If you do that, they can not harm you in any way, shape, or form. The worst thing that could happen is that you don't get your item and you have to do a little paperwork with your CC.

 

[ivan2]

paypal or no deal.

 

[TallBill]

Why would I care about a random online store. Wouldn't a specific one be more pertinent?

 

[allisolm]

If this place http://www.bargaincell.com/ has the batteries at a comparable price, get them there. I've ordered many times from them with no problems.

 

[Baked]

I use eBay for phone batteries. I don't even care if they explode. They're cheap!

 

[wiredspider]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Why the fuck do people use Debit cards?!?

Credit cards, learn to love them! Why do you need a "special" online cc? When in even more doubt, use a one-time use generator. God damn, this is like that wedding invitation thread all over again, but for $7.

Because BofA gives me 100% fraud protection on my debit card, just like a CC.

Yea, but your money is gone until they give it back.
CC would just give you a credit and you would not pay. Technically it's a temporary credit while they investigate, but regardless your money is not gone.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: wiredspider

Originally posted by: Ocguy31

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Why the fuck do people use Debit cards?!?

Credit cards, learn to love them! Why do you need a "special" online cc? When in even more doubt, use a one-time use generator. God damn, this is like that wedding invitation thread all over again, but for $7.

Because BofA gives me 100% fraud protection on my debit card, just like a CC.

Yea, but your money is gone until they give it back.
CC would just give you a credit and you would not pay. Technically it's a temporary credit while they investigate, but regardless your money is not gone.

So if a debit card has fraud protection just like a CC, then why not use a CC? You don't worry about your CC bill till the next month. You have forever to get the charges removed. With a debit card if you get your money stolen, you're screwed. Your bank account could very well go to 0 and then what? How do you plan on going to the ATM? The charge goes through instantly as shown on BoA's own commercial with the Starbucks purchase. Then what? Wait a day? Sure. What if you need your money NOW?

No reason to use a Debit Card unless you have spending problems. And even then you should get yourself a low limit CC.

 

[WelshBloke]

Originally posted by: Baked
I use eBay for phone batteries. I don't even care if they explode. They're cheap!

Just don't keep your phone in your pants pocket, testicles arnt!

 

[Muse]

"Random"?

Of course, there's no such thing as a random online store. I don't always check them out. Very often I go with my intuition and I'm not prone to getting burned. Never been really burned, just a bit singed a time or two, but those were partly my fault for sure. You can usually tell that an online outfit is for real just by the nature of their website. You can tell that it's only supportable by virtue of a lot of commerce and that only happens if they are doing a lot of business and that tends to foster reasonable business practices. It works for me.

For something like a cell phone battery, I'd look for recommendations if at all possible. It might be hard to find them, but do it. Forums, somewhere where users of your cell phone post together. For instance, there is/was a Yahoo forum for my cell phone and there are probably posts there where people discuss battery replacement and what they've had luck with. Lithium batteries are not all created equal and equal batteries are not always sold for the same $$. My concern would not be so much getting shafted by the online store as getting merchandise that doesn't perform as well as or as long as I'd like when it comes to batteries. You might even get something well worth the money from Asia, say off ebay, but again I'd try to get recommendations. Lacking that, a buttload of intuition will serve you well.