| The online world has changed since the internet first | | | | something isn't right then they will help them. |
| raised its head in the 1960's when it was just simply | | | | There are only a half a dozen companies that do this |
| a text based service. Now in the age of 3-D graphics, | | | | in Australia (as at the time of writing this article) but |
| web 2.0, web streaming and more it still amazes me | | | | it is away of looking after their customers. |
| that many of the first items people purchase on the | | | | The next issue you need to look at is whether or |
| web is still lingerie and in Australia there is no other | | | | not the online store provides a sizing guide. There is |
| country where this is true. | | | | very little lingerie made in Australia, actually I only |
| Even I remember the first time I bought lingerie | | | | know of half a dozen sites that do make their own, |
| online in Australia it was for my fiancé, now | | | | the rest is normally imported from Asia, the US, |
| my wife. | | | | Canada or Europe and this creates a problem. How |
| So how do you buy lingerie online in Australia safely? | | | | do you know what size will suit you. |
| Well the first key issue is to find out if who you are | | | | Most online lingerie stores will provide you with a |
| buying from is legitimate. One of the first ways to do | | | | sizing chart however the biggest challenge is |
| this is to check out whether they have an ABN or | | | | understanding how to read the chart. Further to this |
| Australian Business Number. Every business is required | | | | they should also show you how to measure yourself |
| to have an ABN (stands for Australian Business | | | | as well. |
| Number) and if their website doesn't then you know | | | | The next issue to consider is how the company will |
| you have a problem. | | | | deliver your item. Whether you like it or not, when |
| The next thing to check out is whether or not the | | | | you buy online your item is going to have to be sent |
| ABN correlates to the business. There is an Australian | | | | to you via a courier or through Australia Post. You |
| Government website called business.gov.au that you | | | | need to find out how they are going to send the |
| can use to see whether a business is in fact has an | | | | items to you and how much the freight is going to |
| ABN. | | | | cost you. |
| Once you know that the business is real, then its | | | | Many arguments have occurred between customers |
| time to check out both their privacy policy and | | | | and online stores over the freight costs. Quality |
| returns policy. | | | | stores will have a very clear policy on freight with |
| In Australia we have very strong privacy regulations | | | | some offering freight for free with purchases over a |
| and laws and every company should have a clearly | | | | certain amount or a fixed freight fee. If you are |
| defined privacy policy. All quality Australian companies | | | | buying from a store and they don't specify the |
| will have that policy highlighted on their website. | | | | freight cost during the checkout process, then you |
| The second thing you need to check for is the | | | | must expect to be charged an additional fee at a |
| returns policy and this is the area that catches most | | | | later stage before shipment. |
| people out. In Australia, once an item has been worn | | | | The other issue to consider is whether additional |
| close to any anatomical part such as the breast or | | | | freight fees maybe charged if you split your order or |
| skin then it normally cannot be resold simply because | | | | if items are on back order. I have seen some |
| legislation does not allow this to occur. | | | | companies charge extra amounts on this |
| In fact, if you donate items like bras or underwear to | | | | circumstance and you need to clarify with the online |
| any of the charities they are required to dispose of | | | | lingerie store what their policy is. |
| them like medical waste. However, some online | | | | If you follow these basic principles then your |
| lingerie stores do offer a refund policy even on | | | | experience in buying lingerie in Australia should be a |
| underwear. Companies like this do not resell the item | | | | positive one. |
| but they do this to give customers confidence that if | | | | |