Which? ends its Web Trader scheme - 06 Jan 2003

At the end of January 2003 the Consumer Association will end its Which? Web Trader scheme as its costing too much to run.

The scheme was set up in 1999 to make online shopping should be easy and safe. Enforcing a code of practice for UK-based web sites, it encouraged the highest standards among online traders to ensure consumers were treated fairly when shopping online. The scheme was free and independent.

With over 2700 listed member passing expert checks, there were a wide range of goods and services available, from high street names and small independent businesses. The scheme resolved over 2000 disputes for consumers and succeeded in increasing consumer confidence and promoting high standards of e-commerce.

The costs of providing such a scheme, have now though become too much for a charitable organisation and they have decided to use their resources in a more effective way.

Whether it really matters that Which? Web trader is disappearing seems to be a matter of debate in the web community. Some thinking its crucial to have something of this sort in place, others thinking its just was a fancy orange logo that meant nothing.

The scheme brought much to e-commerce in the UK and its web sites, at least assisting to instill confidence for the everyday person off the street when visiting web sites. Now people have a little more faith in the Internet, perhaps the money can be better off spent elsewhere protecting the consumers of today.

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