Is there a way of detecting foreign websites?

[anonymous-user]

Recently I have made a few purchases from the interweb.

There are sites ending .co.uk and prices are in GBP.
They even have a UK address.

However, the product ships from the US for example and it’s only on the invoice that US taxes might show. amongst other information such as typical shipping times.

Some sites are clear. For example, there was another .co.uk site but there was information on the products shipping from the Netherlands.

Is there any way of wising up to this?
I don’t want to get caught out where I am stung with customs charges or parcels lost in freight.

[jan8p]

Not really, the website could be hosted anywhere, likewise the company based anywhere, it's down to them to tell you where they source their stock!

[Doofus]

The Delivery and Returns section usually gives clues.

[judas]

About and contact pages too. Even then there's no guarantee.

[Ham_and_Jam]

Trustpilot and other similar review websites are good sources of info on this.

Unless it’s a pretty new website / business you will normally find quite a lot of feedback if it isn’t UK based, or more importantly if it is a problem with delivery times, taxes or general customer service.

[bitchstewie]

Nothing is guaranteed but Google them and also read the T&Cs and returns pages and they will often have details in it of the actual legal entity.

[camel_landy]

Alternatively, go shopping on the High Street...

M

[Ham_and_Jam]

camel_landy said:

Alternatively, go shopping on the High Street...

M

Good luck with that

[NGRhodes]

judas said:

About and contact pages too. Even then there's no guarantee.

Look for registered UK company and company number (and validate via a companies search), assume everything else is non UK.
Pay by credit card and if you are unlucky and are asked to pay import fees, refuse, ask the retailer to pay or refund and ultimately escalate to your credit card company.

[Doofus]

camel_landy said:

Alternatively, go shopping on the High Street...

M

That's a valid point. It never occurred to me that the OP might be shopping for a cup of coffee or a betting slip.

[camel_landy]

Ham_and_Jam said:

camel_landy said:

Alternatively, go shopping on the High Street...

M

Good luck with that

Use it or lose it...

M