Advice for a Purchase

Several advantages to online shopping.

Always open, 24 hours and 7 days.

It's easier to take your time and choose what's right.

Many more products and services available, all the more presented in detail.

Possibility of purchasing products not offered in Canada on foreign sites.

Easier to compare prices and products between different stores.

Take advantage of several promotions offered only on the web.

Discover new stores.


Fot a better online shopping experience.

Rating and comments from other Internet users.

Chat live with an advisor.

Track the package and communicate with the merchant.

You benefit from purchase protection through PayPal or even the various credit card companies

In Canada, three out of four people buy online.

E-commerce had more than 27 million users in 2022, which represents 75% of the Canadian population.

The year 2025 is expected to reach 77.6% and exceed $90 billion for the Canadian e-commerce market.


74% of Quebecers have made at least one purchase on the web for the year 2023 and 60% monthly accumulating 17.8 billion dollars in spending.

An annual increase of 8.80%. 16.4 billion for 2022.

Clothing and fashion items are the most popular.

77% of the population in Quebec should buy online in 2025.

​​​​You are shopping on a store from an international website, before completing your purchase, make sure of some details.

  • The currency of the prices indicated and the exchange rate if applicable. 
  • The items meet Canadian safety standards.
  • International shipping costs for the purchase as well as if you need to make a return.
  • See if the site allows access to international customer service (email or social networks).
  • As well as refund, exchange and guarantee policies apply to international customers.

*It is recommendee, if possible, to make purchases with companies located in Canada. Easier To resolve in the event of a problem if the company is located in the province.

Lost or stolen parcel

According to consumer protection,

The merchant is responsible and must ensure that you receive your order.

In the event of theft, even if the package left in front of your door has been photographed by the delivery person,

the merchant must replace or refund.

Unless you authorize the merchant to deposit it in your absence.

If the merchant refuses a replacement or refund.

  • Canceled the sale by writing an email, the merchant has 15 days to process the refund.

  • If they don't, you have 60 days to request a chargeback from the credit card issuer.

  • If you refuse, you can pursue small claims against the merchant.

 

Method for receiving your parcel safely.

  • Delivery with signature if possible. In case of absence, you will receive a notice that the package is at a collection center.

  • Track the transport via internet, ask a reliable person to pick it up

  • Choose a secure address, a place where someone will be there at the time of delivery.

  • Directly from Canada Post, but fees apply.

You can protect your colie at home

  • Surveillance camera at your entrance, with motion detection, day and night recording  linked to your cell phone.

  • Install a mailbox with padlock

 

 

 

Return, exchange or refund

What you ordered is not adequate, too big, small or other reason.

Nothing obliges the merchant to take back a product or exchange it, unless it is defective.

Each merchant is free to set the conditions of their return policy.

For example, they may charge a restocking fee if you return a product because you change your mind.

The law of the consumer,

You can cancel a purchase free of charge,

  • within 30 days following the agreed date if you have not received the goods.

  • within 30 days of the transaction if you have not received the relevant information within 15 days of the transaction.

 

A merchant's return policy must be disclosed before the transaction is completed.

On the receipt of the relevant information given to the customer, the return information must be mentioned.

Even if the merchant is located outside the province, if the transaction was made within Quebec, failure to comply with these obligations allows the consumer to cancel the transaction.

 

A consumer can assume that a transaction is final if a retailer has no returns policy, the seller is not required to mention this.

 

Return, exchange or refund of a defective product

When you pay a sum of money for an order, you benefit from a legal guarantee of quality.

The product must have a reasonable lifespan.

If a product breaks prematurely,

the legal guarantee applies automatically.

  • The merchant must repair or exchange it free of charge.

  • If this proves impossible, he must reimburse you.

No need to obtain a warranty, since it is provided for by law, regardless of the manufacturer's warranty mentioned.

 

Attention

Certain products have a specific warranty from the manufacturer. It will be listed as an example: 1 year.

The duration of the brie warranty is largely not determined by common sense, because it does not have a precise duration.

A judge will decide to what extent it applies.

 

Final sale

The Consumer Protection Act does not provide for specific rules on this aspect.

A merchant must, however, respect what he promises to his customers.

If certain items at a merchant are identified as final sale,

the merchant must mention this to the consumer before making payment.

 

Reimbursement request for a discount announced after purchase

You purchased an item and the following week you found it on sale at the same retailer.

the law does not require it to reimburse you the difference.

The merchant is free to set up a low price guarantee policy and to set the applicable conditions.

The same rule applies if you find the identical item at a lower price at another retailer.

The merchant is not required to reimburse you for the difference...

unless it claims in its advertisements that it “matches” the prices of its competitors.

 

Recycling waste, wastewater and wasted energy,

an effective way to reduce greenhouse gases.

A climate solution!

 

When you receive a package, it is important to recycle the packaging.

  • Buying local will reduce packaging.

  • When you receive your package, carefully remove the item from its packaging, which you will keep in case you need to return your purchase.

 

Paper and cardboard soiled with grease.

To avoid contaminating recyclable materials, use the composting bin if your paper and cardboard are soiled.

Also, waxed paper, stickers, metalized packaging, are not recyclable.

 

Recycle, reuse and upcycle.

Three actions aimed at protecting the environment, generating different results.

  • Recycling involves crushing objects so that the basic components can be used to design new products ready for consumption.

Often of lower quality.

  • Reuse reduces waste and pollution.

A cardboard box can be used again to store objects in a cupboard.

  • Upcycling does not convert objects but remodel them in order to achieve a higher quality, functional product.

Fabric scraps can be used to create new clothing.

 

Most restaurants, cafes or public places that you frequent,

offers you free wifi. A trendy experience.

 

Connecting to the first unlocked network you find is not recommended.

Make sure you are connected to the establishment's network name,

you can ask the manager if this is the one you can use.

 

It is strongly recommended to only use password-secured networks.

You will prevent your personal data from being stolen.

 

 

Free samples?

When you make a purchase on the Web, the merchant is required to provide you with several pieces of information, including the total cost of your purchase.

Read all information given carefully. They are even more important if you are invited to order free samples. Perhaps you will discover that you will then receive products every month... and that you will be charged a high price for them

Either way, be on your guard when a freebie is announced. If you have to take out your credit card to take advantage of it, especially to pay for delivery costs, there may be something fishy going on.

 

Sales contract

Sales contract a minor does not have the legal capacity to sign a contract. This means that only their legal representative (parent or guardian) can sign the contract.


Casino games and alcohol

To play online casino games, or to purchase alcohol, you must be 18 or 19 years old, depending on the province.

 

Alberta, Manitoba & Quebec

you must be 18 years old.

 

British Columbia, Saskatchewan , Ontario, New Brunswick, Edward Island, New Scotland & Newfoundland and labrador

you must be 19 years old

 

You want to make a purchase safely on the internet, here are the tips for placing your order.

 

Choose the product carefully before purchasing

On online stores, we have access to

  • comments from other Internet users regarding the product,

  • detailed product description,

  • explanatory videos or reviews about the products.

  • chat live with an advisor!

This allows you to have a better opinion on the product.

It can be difficult to judge a product by a simple photo.

 

Legal notice

The first thing to do before buying these is to make sure that the seller really exists.

On the merchant site you should see

  • company details,

  • legal notices,

  • return or privacy policy

  • the general terms and conditions...

If you find none of this, don't buy.

 

Return policy

Always check the return policy before purchasing.

The return or privacy policy must be visible.

 

Guarantee

Always check the basic warranty policy of the desired product.

Some stores offer an extended warranty for an additional amount on certain products.

You are free to take it or not.

 

Customs and delivery costs

Expect customs fees if the product comes from outside the country.

You may be charged shipping costs on the products.

Most online stores offer free shipping if your bill exceeds a certain base amount.

 

Delivery time

Check and plan the delivery time to receive it when you want.

There may be delivery delays due to lack of stock at the retailer.

 

Proceed to payment

You have purchase protection through Paypal or different credit card companies.

Before proceeding to payment for your shopping cart,

  • Check that the payment is secure.

  • The address must be secure before entering your details.

  • Page URL must start with https (s for secure)

  • A padlock or key must appear next to the url.

Fraudulent shopping sites collect your information when you make a purchase.

During the transaction, they process the payments, like financial agreements with third parties, collect your money.

 

Tracking your order

After purchase, some stores offer you the possibility of tracking your package.

Preparation, sending, distribution center.

 

Receiving the parcel