10 Things to Check Before Buying Anything Online

Most online shopping regrets aren't about the product itself. They're about something you didn't check: the seller, the return policy, a fee that appeared at checkout, a size that ran small.

This checklist covers the 10 things to check before buying anything online. It takes about five minutes, and it works for a ₹300 T-shirt and a ₹50,000 TV alike.

The checklist at a glance

1. Who the seller is
2. The return policy for this exact listing
3. The final price at checkout
4. The exact model, variant and what's in the box
5. Recent reviews and real photos
6. Size, fit and dimensions
7. Warranty terms
8. Country of origin and expiry date
9. Delivery date and delivery options
10. Payment safety

1. Who the seller is

On a marketplace, the platform and the seller are often different businesses. The seller is who you'll deal with for returns, warranty and complaints.

India's Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 require marketplaces to show seller details such as the business name, address, customer care number and seller ratings. Tap the seller name on the product page and check:

• Is it the brand itself or an authorised seller?
• What's the seller's own rating, separate from the product's?
• Is there a real address and contact number?

For electronics, beauty and supplements especially, prefer the brand's official store or an authorised seller.

2. The return policy for this exact listing

Return policies vary by category and sometimes by seller. Don't rely on the platform's general help page. Look at the policy shown on the product page itself and note:

• Window: how many days you have.
• Type: full refund, replacement only, or non-returnable.
• Conditions: tags intact, original packaging, unboxing video required.

If it says replacement only, you can swap a faulty unit but can't change your mind. Make sure you're comfortable with that before you buy.

3. The final price at checkout

The price on the product card is the start, not the end. Go all the way to the payment page and check for:

• Delivery, handling or platform fees
• Pre-ticked add-ons like protection plans, insurance or donations
• A bank offer that applied on the product page but not at checkout

India's Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 list practices like drip pricing (revealing costs late) and basket sneaking (adding items without your consent) as prohibited. If you spot them, untick, screenshot, and consider shopping elsewhere.

4. The exact model, variant and what's in the box

Listing titles are written to be found, not to be precise. Confirm:

• The model number and year (older stock is often sold under similar names)
• The variant: storage, RAM, size, colour, pack size
• What's included: charger, cables, mounting kit, batteries

Cross-check against the brand's official spec page if anything looks off. Our guide on how to compare products online covers this in more detail.

5. Recent reviews and real photos

Sort reviews by most recent, read a few 3-star ones, and look at customer photos. You're looking for repeated issues, not the star average. Read reviews vs ratings: what to trust and how to spot fake reviews before you rely on either.

6. Size, fit and dimensions

Wrong size is one of the most common reasons people return things. Before you buy:

• Clothing and shoes: measure yourself and compare against the brand's size chart, not your usual size. Reviews often say whether something runs small or large.
• Furniture and appliances: measure the space, the doorway and the lift. A sofa that doesn't fit through the door is a very expensive lesson.
• Accessories: check compatibility with your exact device model.

7. Warranty terms

Check how long the warranty is, what it covers, and who honours it. Some warranties are valid only when bought from authorised sellers. Keep the invoice; most warranty claims need it.

For big purchases, check whether there's an authorised service centre in your city. A two-year warranty is less useful if the nearest service point is three hours away.

8. Country of origin and expiry date

The same e-commerce rules require sellers to show the country of origin, and the expiry date where it applies. This matters most for:

• Skincare and cosmetics (also check the opened-shelf-life symbol, like "12M")
• Supplements and protein powders
• Packaged food and baby products

If a listing doesn't show an expiry date for a product that should have one, ask the seller or skip it.

9. Delivery date and delivery options

Check the estimated delivery date against when you actually need the product. For gifts and events, leave a buffer.

Also check the delivery options available for high-value items. Some platforms offer open-box delivery, where you can inspect the product before accepting it. Cash on delivery may carry an extra fee.

10. Payment safety

Most online shopping fraud happens around payment, not the product. Stay safe:

• Buy only through the official app or website; type the address yourself instead of tapping links from messages.
• Never share an OTP or UPI PIN with anyone. You enter a UPI PIN to pay money, never to receive it.
• Be wary of "too good to be true" prices on unfamiliar sites, especially ones that only accept direct UPI transfers.

If you lose money to online fraud in India, call the cybercrime helpline 1930 immediately and file a report at cybercrime.gov.in. For problems with an order (wrong item, refund not received), you can register a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline on 1915.

Bonus: do you actually need it?

The one check no checklist can do for you. If the product isn't solving a real need, the best deal is not buying it. Our guide to avoiding impulse buying online has a few simple rules that help.

Save this checklist

• Seller is the brand or an authorised seller, with a real address
• Return policy read on the product page
• Final price checked on the payment page
• Model, variant and box contents confirmed
• Recent reviews and customer photos checked
• Size chart or dimensions measured
• Warranty length and service centre checked
• Country of origin and expiry date visible
• Delivery date works for you
• Paying only through the official app or site

How Nudge helps

Nudge narrows hundreds of options down to three personalised picks, so you spend your five minutes checking the right products instead of scrolling. For the bigger picture, read our complete guide to choosing the right product online and the ultimate guide to smart online shopping in India.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check before buying online in India?

Check the seller details, the return policy on the product page, the final price at checkout, the exact model and variant, recent reviews, size or dimensions, warranty, country of origin, expiry date, delivery date and payment safety.

How do I know if an online seller is trustworthy?

Tap the seller name on the product page. Look for the brand's official store or an authorised seller, a separate seller rating, and a real business address and customer care number.

What should I do if the final price is higher at checkout?

Check for added fees and pre-ticked add-ons and remove anything you didn't choose. If charges still appear that weren't disclosed upfront, take a screenshot and consider buying elsewhere.

Where can I complain about an online purchase in India?

First contact the platform's grievance officer. If that doesn't resolve it, register a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline (1915). For payment fraud, call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in.

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Five minutes of checking, three great options. Start with Nudge.