Finally, you have right to cancel orders that you can't fill in a timely manner. Your must, however, promptly notify customer and make a prompt refund.

Running Late? Overwhelmed with Orders?

The Rule gives you several ways to deal with an unexpected demand.

You can change your shipment promises up to point consumer places order, if you reasonably believe that you can ship by new date. The updated information overrides previous promises and reduces your need to send delay notices. Be sure to tell your customer new shipment date before you take order.

You must provide a delay option notice if you can't ship within originally promised time. The Rule lets you use a variety of ways to provide notice, including e-mail, fax or phone. It's a good idea to keep a record of what your notice states, when you provide it, and customer's response. If FTC comes calling, records will act as your saving grace.

In Closing

If you are selling products online, make sure you have sufficient inventory. The FTC has a history of aggressively fining companies that fail to deliver products. This is particularly true if you fall on your face during Christmas season.

The Bait: Make money through products and services you sell as well as those sold by people you recruit into program.

The Catch: Consumers say that they've bought into plans and programs, but their customers are other distributors, not general public. Some multi-level marketing programs are actually illegal pyramid schemes. When products or services are sold only to distributors like yourself, there's no way to make money.

Travel and Vacation

The Bait: Get a luxurious trip with lots of "extras" at a bargain-basement price.

The Catch: Consumers say some companies deliver lower-quality accommodations and services than they've advertised or no trip at all. Others have been hit with hidden charges or additional requirements after they've paid.

Business Opportunities

The Bait: Be your own boss and earn big bucks.

The Catch: Taken in by promises about potential earnings, many consumers have invested in a "biz op" that turned out to be a "biz flop." There was no evidence to back up earnings claims.

Investments

The Bait: Make an initial investment in a day trading system or service and you'll quickly realize huge returns.

The Catch: Big profits always mean big risk. Consumers have lost money to programs that claim to be able to predict market with 100 percent accuracy.

Health Care Products/Services

The Bait: Items not sold through traditional suppliers are "proven" to cure serious and even fatal health problems.

The Catch: Claims for "miracle" products and treatments convince consumers that their health problems can be cured. But people with serious illnesses who put their hopes in these offers might delay getting health care they need.

A Problem For Your Site?

These issues must be addressed if your site falls in one of these categories. Simply raise issue in a prominent area of site and tell prospect why it will not be a problem on your site. Failure to do so will result in lost sales.