You are probably familiar with the terms and conditions box or page that you are asked to accept when you sign up to buy or sell online. Do you know what you are signing up to?

It’s wise to scan through the information before you accept. This will give you some idea of the safety and professionalism of the site.

In the event of a dispute this agreement forms the basis of the outcome you should expect.

If the site is unfamiliar to you and perhaps not found at or near the top of a search engine page you should take the time to read at least the main points of the terms and conditions. By doing this you will gain an insight into how well prepared they are for almost all eventualities and what to expect if something goes wrong.

A well written document contains all the information you need about shipping, payment, communication, insurance, guarantees and other essential details explaining how the website does business.

Ebay terms and conditions give details on member eligibility, prohibited items, liability of both buyer and seller as well as a wealth of information covering every aspect of the online auction process including their policy on preventing fraud.

If you come across a website with no terms or conditions page or a brief document with little information, think twice before you sign up. You will still be covered by the relevant state or country laws but you may find it difficult to get necessary help and information from the website in the event of a problem.

There are plenty of sites operating professionally and you should not sign up to anything you are not one hundred percent comfortable with. It’s your choice but remember to choose wisely. Being informed can save you a lot of trouble.

Terms and conditions are there to help both the buyer and the seller feel safe and protected while transacting their online business.

Next time you come to the “I accept” section, scroll through the document and make sure you are happy with the contents before ticking the box.