This article is to help both online business owners, those
thinking about selling online AND online consumers! I'm putting
to rest some questions and arguments, once and for all.
If you were to start a business down on Main Street, you would -
without question - find out what the legal ramifications are,
and do whatever is necessary to cover your butt.
I continue to fail to see WHY folks think that should be
different if they have a business on the Web. It still seems as
if way too many online business owners think they can cut corners
just by the very fact that they DO operate online.
This is an erroneous idea that gets people into trouble!
I DO understand you can start an online business for FAR less
capital than it takes down on Main Street. This is a GREAT
thing for those losing jobs or needing additional income. I
whole-heartedly recommend it!
However ... Are you in business - or not? The Web isn't a
playpen, and it should be taken seriously if you plan to make a
living on it!
Who do YOU do Business With?
Consumers ARE finally becoming more savvy about who they choose
to do business with. They look for physical contact information
- including a telephone number.
But, they are ALSO learning to look for the legal documents that
protect them. True: it's becoming more complicated. At one
time, it was mostly just a Privacy Statement they expected.
So many scammers have now brought consumers to the point for
knowing to look for more protection. Can you blame them?
I shop online constantly, and you'd better believe I'm VERY
careful to be sure the companies I patronize have the proper
legal documents! I want to be SURE I'm dealing with a
professional - and legal - business!
Which Brings Us to My Point ...
I RARELY join an affiliate program. If I did it for one iCop
member, I'd feel like I had to do it for all of them. No time.
But, I DID join the AutoWebLaw Pro program when it first came
out. Why? Because this is a product that can do nothing but
help every single online business owner!
In fact, it's a NECESSARY product to doing legitimate business
online. I truly believe in it for several reasons - not the
least of which is the money business owners can save by using it
instead of running to a business attorney every time some
regulatory guideline changes.
And, by the way, the words "guidlelines" and "regulations" ARE
used interchangeably by the regulatory institutions!
In another life, and for 15 years, I dealt with legal documents,
and business laws in particular, for the businesses I
represented in keeping them out of bankruptcy. There
isn't much I don't know about how the legal system works for
business.
So, you can believe me when I tell you the documents in
AutoWebLaw Pro are TOP-NOTCH. And, I'll guarantee you - I
wouldn't promote them for a single minute if they weren't!
It isn't just the current FTC new "guidelines." The AutoWebLaw Pro package
is full of more legal advice than you can shake a stick at!
All you have to do to gain that advice is READ all the
documents.
Now, I know the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or a
similar agency in other countries, isn't going gunning for every
small business owner online. They don't have the staff for
that.
But, let a couple of consumers report you for something, and see
what happens! Once a red flag goes up, an investigation can
start while you're blissfully drinking your coffee and counting
your money.
You won't know anything about it until someone arrives on your
door step with a subpoena!
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“Well, (Boo-Hoo) it's only a guideline!”
“Yeah, Pal, it's a guideline today, but as soon as we take you
to court, and win - which we will - it sets a precedent that
makes it part of the LAW. We refine the “law” as we go along!”
------------
The BASIC law simply says, “No deceptive advertising.” But,
what constitutes deceptive advertising is determined by the
courts!
You should also know - if you don't live in the USA and your
payment processor IS in the USA, all U.S. FTC laws also apply
to you. Refuse to comply and you can lose your payment
processor!
Two Final Tips
- Consumers are absolutely RIGHT to look for, and read, legal documents on a website. And, not lay down a single penny until they do!
- Every online business owner is ALSO an online consumer. Legal documents apply to you from BOTH sides!
