Shopping at a Shopify store? Beware of fraudulent sellers!

What is Shopify? 

Shopify is a Canadian company that develops software that entrepreneurs can use to easily start an online shop. This requires no technical knowledge and only a small financial investment. Many start-ups and small businesses like to use this software for these reasons. 

Reliability of Shopify 

Shopify in itself is a reliable e-commerce platform. But not every entrepreneur using this platform is acting on good intentions. Because of the volatility, as online shops can be swiftly set up and just as swiftly taken down again, it is a popular platform for fraudsters. 

ECC alerts 

The ECC has noticed that many of these Shopify online shops are not registered in a trade register, the delivery time of products is long, or the customer service is not easily accessible. Some online shops do not have the products in stock themselves and make use of drop-shipping. These are all signs that can indicate the unreliability of the entrepreneur. 

Do you know who you are buying from? 

When you make a purchase from a Shopify webshop, you are not buying from Shopify, this is the software developer. Instead, you buy from an online retailer using the e-commerce platform. Always do research on the seller to ensure you know who is behind the online shop. You need to know how reliable that entrepreneur is. And where to go with your complaint if problems arise with your purchase.

Check the reliability of the online retailer 

Want to make a purchase from an online business owner who uses Shopify? Double-check if you are dealing with a reliable entrepreneur. This is how you do it:

• Check the general terms and conditions
  In the general terms and conditions, you can read where the entrepreneur is located. If the entrepreneur has not indicated its place of business, do not trust this retailer!
   
• Check the registration number of a trade register 
  Check if there is a trade register registration number on the website. Or the Chamber of Commerce number in the Trade Register. No Chamber of Commerce registration? Then the company is located abroad, or you are dealing with a private individual.
   
• Check quality mark 
  Check whether the online shop is affiliated with a quality mark such as Home Store Guarantee. This way, you can be sure that it is a reliable online retailer. Please note that scammers often abuse the trust mark logo by placing it on the website without actually obtaining the trust mark. Therefore, always check the register of members on the website of the quality mark.
   
• Check the address in Google Maps
  Does the online shop have a private address on the website for returning packages, for example? Then you are probably dealing with a private trader. This does not directly indicate a fraudulent trader, but it does let you know who you are dealing with. Always check the address in Google Maps.
   
• Check payment options
  An online shop should always offer the option to pay afterwards, for example with PayPal, a credit card or a bank giro credit. Are those options not listed? Then it is wise to shop somewhere else!
   
• Check out experiences of other consumers
  Do you doubt the reliability of an online retailer? Then consult Google or review sites to see what experiences other consumers have with this online retailer. 

Any questions? Ask us!

Do you have a conflict with an entrepreneur from another EU Member State, Norway, Iceland or the United Kingdom, and are you unable to work it out together? Please use the online form to contact our legal specialists for free legal assistance. Does your complaint concern a Dutch seller? Then you can contact the Legal Help Desk for free advice. Website is in Dutch.