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Plain guides on checking webshops and buying safely online.
VAT number checks in the EU: why buyers look for it
Why a webshop shows its VAT number, how anyone can check it in the EU VIES register in a minute, and what a valid number does and does not tell you.
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Free trust mark for your webshop: what it shows and how to add it
What the free CheckShop trust mark shows your buyers, what it does not promise, and how to add it to WooCommerce, Shopify or any other shop system.
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How to get more reviews without breaking the EU review rules
The EU Omnibus rules on consumer reviews in plain language, and five ways to collect more reviews from real buyers that stay within them.
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Paying safely online: which payment methods protect you
Which ways to pay at a webshop let you get your money back if nothing arrives, which ones do not, and the warning signs at checkout.
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Trust mark comparison: what you get for free
Which questions to ask any trust mark or review provider, what CheckShop gives for free, and how a few well-known providers compare on a free mark and the contract term.
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A webshop did not deliver: what you can do in the EU
Your rights when an online order does not arrive, step by step: from a reminder to the shop to getting your money back through your bank or a European Consumer Centre.
Read the guideHow to get an online shop checked
Getting an online shop checked (onlineshop prüfen lassen) before you order: what an automated check covers, what to check yourself and the red flags.
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Webshop checklist: is this shop trustworthy?
A short checklist to see whether a webshop is trustworthy before you order: company details, contact, returns, payment methods, reviews and https.
Read the guideHow to spot a fake online shop: 7 red flags
Fake shops can look professional. Seven warning signs to check before you pay, from prices and company details to payment methods and copied terms.
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Your rights when shopping online in the EU
Your EU rights when you buy online: 14 days to change your mind, refunds, delivery within 30 days, a two-year legal guarantee and help with disputes.
Read the guideTrust badges and conversions: what to expect
Can a trust badge help your webshop convert? What a badge can and cannot do, where to place it, how to measure the effect and what EU rules say.
Read the guideHow to check if an online shop is safe
How to check if an online shop is safe before you pay: who runs it, contact details, returns, payment methods, reviews and Google's malware warnings.
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