Transparency in Online Transactions

In these days of every increasing demand and competition, there is a considerable choice available to the cautious consumer. People have the choice of various types of media, if they are looking to shop for any particular product.

Looking at the various types of media, we realise just how large the choices are for anyone venturing into buying or selling something. At the same time, there is the factor of convenience. It wasn't so long ago, when the customer either went to the shops, to buy, or looked in the local or national press, to browse through the classified and commercial advertisements.

Then came along the advent of radio and television, which provided a whole new concept in advertising. You could now sit comfortably at home, and listen to, or indeed see, advertisements for your favourite products. But this didn't provide a huge market in private individual advertising, due to the costs involved, although some local radio stations were able to provide so called 'small ads'.

It has been customary in the past, for someone wishing to sell a product, to advertise it in the local and national press. This continues today, as one only has to browse through the papers, and see thousands of adverts from private individuals.

In recent times, we have seen the evolution of the computer, as an additional source of advertising, and more and more people are turning to this method, as essentially it is one of the most convenient methods of placing an advert. It is also very easy for buyers to browse through the ads, or more specifically, type a word or phrase into a search engine, and save time in being directed straight to the object they are searching for.

But let's not be complacent about online advertising, either from the buyers or the seller's point of view. Those of us who run online shopping websites are responsible in ensuring that our customers get a clear and concise picture of exactly what they are entering into, when they open a webpage. It is our duty to provide people with the facts, particularly if they are entering into any online financial commitment. How often do you see the 'added extras' tucked away, after completing the initial registration details, or see an additional credit card fee charged? How often do you see an initial price, only to be weighted down with hidden extras? It is imperative in this day of high technology that the end user, that is, the customer, is provided with the full facts of a transaction, at the very beginning.

Starting off with a low or 'bargain' price is all well and good, if that price is the final price, but far too often we see the final price creep up with additional fees, charges, add ons, call it what you may. The responsibility lies with the vendor, to ensure that the price has no 'furry' edges, and is transparent. If there are taxes in addition to the price, we as vendors, should state so, from the very off. If there is postage and packaging, extra costs for additional services, or anything else, it needs to be stated at the beginning.

Keeping standards extremely high and not taking advantage of the speed in which online transactions pass from one page to the next, to reach the final destination, is an objective that many online businesses have adopted. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go, for many. Let's hope we will all, one day, maintain the standards that the general public deserve.

Paul Bryant is the Chairman of Wamee Ltd, a UK Online portal, for people to buy and sell almost anything. The website address is http://www.wamee.com. Wamee maintains a policy of transparency and clarity in every aspect.

monthly home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..
In The News:

Baseball teams can now analyze complete swing mechanics in normal training environments using Theia's markerless AI system that processes standard high-speed footage.
Smart home hacking fears overblown? Expert reveals real cybersecurity risks and simple protection tips to keep your connected devices safe from hackers.
MIT develops needle-free glucose monitor using light technology. Revolutionary device could replace painful finger pricks for diabetes management.
The ClickFix campaign disguises malware as legitimate Windows updates, using steganography to hide shellcode in PNG files and bypass security detection systems.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University designed a 21-foot dome that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a self-sustaining urban food system.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
ChatGPT data breach exposes personal info of users through partner Mixpanel. OpenAI confirms names, emails compromised in security incident.
Android rolls out Emergency Live Video for 911 calls, letting dispatchers see real-time scenes during emergencies. Great for holiday travel safety.
Malicious Chrome and Edge extensions collected browsing history, keystrokes and personal data from millions of users before Google and Microsoft removed them.
Google's new Call Reason feature lets Android users mark calls as urgent before dialing, displaying an urgent label to recipients using Phone by Google app.
Medical history made as surgeons successfully restore sight to legally blind patient using world's first 3D printed corneal implant grown from human cells.
Data brokers aggressively collect your holiday shopping data to fuel scams and targeted ads. Learn how to delete your digital profile before 2025 starts.
Scammers are sending fake MetaMask wallet verification emails using official branding to steal crypto information through phishing links and fraudulent domains.
Learn what background permissions, push notifications, security updates, auto-join networks and app refresh mean to better manage your phone's privacy settings.
Criminals test stolen data by applying for deposit accounts in victims' names to prepare bigger attacks. Learn why banks won't share fraud details.
New study of 10,500+ kids reveals early smartphone ownership linked to depression, obesity, and poor sleep by age 12. Earlier phones mean higher risks.
A phone phishing attack compromised Harvard's alumni and donor database, marking the second security incident at the university in recent months.
AutoFlight's zero-carbon floating vertiport uses solar power to charge eVTOL aircraft while supporting emergency response, tourism, and marine energy maintenance.
A new phone return scam targets recent buyers with fake carrier calls. Learn how criminals steal devices and steps to protect yourself from this fraud.
New Anthropic research reveals how AI reward hacking leads to dangerous behaviors, including models giving harmful advice like drinking bleach to users seeking help.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
Holiday email scams, including non-delivery fraud and gift card schemes, spike in November and December, costing victims hundreds of millions, the FBI says.
Holiday visits offer the perfect opportunity to help older parents with technology updates, scam protection and basic troubleshooting skills for safer digital experiences.
Swiss scientists create grain-sized robot that surgeons control with magnets to deliver medicine precisely through blood vessels in medical breakthrough.
Researchers exploited WhatsApp's API vulnerability to scrape 3.5 billion phone numbers. Learn how this massive data breach happened and protect yourself.

Between Now and Economic Recovery

There's still time to review your public relations program like... Read More

Are You Sure You Know What Youre Doing?

Because when it comes to public relations, non-believers can produce... Read More

Want To Join the Bandwagon? Be Sure It Has Wheels!

Here are two to-the-point questions recently posed by several association... Read More

What I Do

I believe this about public relations.People act on their own... Read More

Whats Stopping You From Getting Publicity?

When I talk with business people, they tend to believe... Read More

Writing a Press Release: Inverted Pyramid Style

A term you'll hear in newsrooms, in editing meetings, in... Read More

Recessions Dont Last Forever!

It could, but what if it doesn't?Will you be prepared?Will... Read More

What to Do When the Reporter Calls: Five Tips for New (and not-so-new) Business Owners

New business owners often miss out on publicity opportunities because... Read More

Public Relations: Power Tool for the 21st Century

I address this article to businesses, associations, non-profits and public... Read More

Publicity: Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Take a Reporter to Lunch

Sometimes a phone call isn't intimate or long enough to... Read More

Publicity: Financial Planners That Get It Follow One Rule

Advice about business and life often gets around to one... Read More

Dont Be Incredible

Public relations is all about credibility and trustworthiness. If you... Read More

Public Relations: Understanding Educated Gambling

As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More

Managers and PR: One Thing Is Clear

As a business, non-profit or association manager, you have a... Read More

Media Training 101: When 60 Minutes Knocks On Your Door

You never know when 60 Minutes will knock on your... Read More

Top Ten Tips for Writing your Best Press Release Ever

Keep these few crucial details in mind when writing and... Read More

Publicity Performance Not Enough?

Even after a nice piece in a national publication, or... Read More

Public Relations: The Fundamental Premise

It seems difficult to believe at the dawn of the... Read More

A Natural Phenomenon? Really?

Sure. What else do you call a human discipline whose... Read More

How Video Production can be used in PR

At the core of any successful public relations campaign is... Read More

Using the Media - Five Reasons Why

The media has the power to shape public opinion and... Read More

Sure-Fire Recipe for a Successful Public Relations Career

Without a solid, well-designed foundation, few buildings successfully withstand the... Read More

Oprah! How to Appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show

Do you dream of being on Oprah Winfrey's television show?... Read More

Press Release Preparation

Small Business Owners should send press releases out at least... Read More

Trade Show Tactics Revealed

Being part of a trade show gives small business a... Read More

scheduled maid service Mundelein ..