The data science team at Sitejabber has compiled the most common consumer complaints of 2014. Here’s the list and what you can do to prevent each issue from happening to you.
1) Sneaky subscriptions
1281 complaints – businesses get you to buy what appears to be a single purchase but will then slip in a backdoor subscription that you might not notice because it’s buried in the fine print. Top complaint getters include big names like JustFab.
Tip: check reviews before buying and then check your credit card statement for unaccounted for charges.
2) Lousy stuff from overseas
4348 complaints – sounds like a great deal, business is located overseas and you either: (1) get something lousy that is broken or is less impressive than the description online, (2) get something weeks and weeks after you order it, (3) get stuck paying taxes or customs duties that were not mentioned on the site, (4) receive no service or refund if you need it, or (5) get nothing at all.
Tip: check reviews and read other consumers experiences carefully to weigh risks versus cost savings. Consider other options if making an important purchase or a time-sensitive purchase. Never wire money or use “Western Union” — only use major credit cards with fraud protection.
3) Sharing economy headaches
720 complaints – 2014 was the year that sharing economy companies like Airbnb, Uber and Etsy went mainstream. These companies can be great but also can cause consumers a lot of “innovative headaches”.
Tip: make sure to read reviews carefully to learn from other consumers experiences, because new business models can come with with new unforeseen issues (e.g., vacation-ruining Airbnb hosts, $300 taxi rides and bogus crafts).
4) Date and switch
3738 complaints – sites like Tinder, Okcupid, Match and eHarmony are all the rage, but dating sites can be filled with problems from fake users to hidden fees to identity theft.
Tip: many new dating sites are free, which is in theory great, but avoid providing credit card or other personal details until you check out the site first on major review services. And if you do pay, check your credit card statement to make sure you’re not paying more than you expected.
Photo credit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
