There’s nothing more frustrating than finding out that the item you’re buying on Etsy is pricier than initially listed. It’s either because it was mispriced or there were additional fees at checkout.
In physical stores, laws exist to ensure that the shelf price is the same as the sum to be paid on checkout. But does the same rule apply to online stores that have mispriced their listings?
Online merchants have to be transparent
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) does have a rule against deceptive pricing. Although there are differing state laws, the FTC states that the rule supersedes local or state law. Select business owners and merchants need to follow the rule.
According to the FTC, online marketplaces must provide “accurate pricing information,” and this includes other hidden fees and charges. Failing to follow this rule may result in a subsequent refund and an order to pay civil penalties. Unfortunately, the rule only applies to live-selling ticket events and short-term lodging
There are several states that require full price disclosures, but there are unfortunately no strict rules or guidelines oriented towards online shops.
What to do if there are no rules or laws?
As of writing this article, no rule has been put up against deceptive fees that also encompass online merchants. Nevertheless, you can report fraud through this link regarding online shopping issues. The link explicitly lists “online shopping’ establishments in the common problems section—from there, you can select the point of concern.
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