# How do I check on the reliability of a website business?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-check-on-the-reliability-of-a-website-business/515597>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 29, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-check-on-the-reliability-of-a-website-business/515597 "2009-10-29T13:38:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-check-on-the-reliability-of-a-website-business/515597/1 "2009-10-29T13:38:24Z")

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I’m looking to purchase some security related stuff online (cameras, locks, alarms) because frankly, its easier to order from home than going out to a bunch of stores everywhere. Knowing the risks of unscrupulous dealers, and that some of them are based in other countries with less regulations, I want to be able to check how reliable these websites are before giving them my credit card number and spending money.

I figured I try [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) first, and it has some nice stuff, but not exactly what I’m looking for.

I’ve tried the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs, but they are having a hard time locating website names. Plus, they don’t tell me where the websites are based, and I want to be a little more careful than that.

Is there any place I can type in a website and see where its based and any place I can check these kinds of businesses for reliability?

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**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-check-on-the-reliability-of-a-website-business/515597/2 "2009-10-29T14:24:56Z")

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Try www.resellerratings.com.

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**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-check-on-the-reliability-of-a-website-business/515597/3 "2009-10-29T15:32:29Z")

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> **[Shopping Online at Shopping.com | Price Comparison Site](https://www.shopping.com/)**
>
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**Author:** ![fubbleskag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fubbleskag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fubbleskag)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-check-on-the-reliability-of-a-website-business/515597/4 "2009-10-29T20:50:57Z")

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> **[Google](https://www.google.com)**
>
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