| With the convenience, limitless selection, and incredible | | | | When checking out, you will probably be asked to |
| deals, Internet shopping is quickly becoming essential to | | | | provide your name, telephone number, address and |
| our daily lives. But to take full advantage of the deals | | | | credit/debit card information. A business site should |
| and shopping options available online, it pays to bring | | | | never ask for your social security number or mother's |
| some shopping know-how with you into cyberspace. | | | | maiden name. These are both red flags that should |
| Being informed about return policies, shipping costs and | | | | alert you to leave this site. |
| sales can not only save you a lot of headaches, but | | | | To shop with even more confidence, you can use a |
| can also save you some cash as well. | | | | payment website like PayPal. Here you only need to |
| Finding the Right Online Store | | | | give your credit card or bank information to PayPal |
| | | | and then have the advantage of paying on other sites |
| The first step to any successful shopping trip is finding | | | | through PayPal. |
| the right store to visit. That goes for brick and mortar | | | | Smart Online Shipping |
| shopping or browsing online. To ensure that you are | | | | |
| dealing with a reputable retailer, do a bit of research | | | | If there was ever a drawback to online shopping, it is |
| before you start adding items to your virtual shopping | | | | the shipping costs that are often associated with online |
| cart. Ask plenty of questions to yourself when | | | | purchases. However, shipping shouldn't be a reason to |
| browsing through the site. Does this website have a | | | | avoid online shopping. Many outlets offer free or |
| physical address that you would be able to contact? | | | | reduced shipping and all it takes is a quick shopping |
| Does the site have approval seals from independent | | | | search to come up with competitive shipping rates. It |
| organizations like the Better Business Bureau? | | | | also pays to check the shipping price before moving |
| But don't stop there. Take the time to click on one of | | | | on to check out. Many times sites will feature a |
| these approval seals to make sure they’re valid, as | | | | shipping assessor that will calculate the cost of |
| some disreputable sites will post images of seals to | | | | delivery to your specific location. Although shipping can |
| falsify their credentials. Also, type the company's name | | | | sometimes seem like a pain, it actually probably costs |
| into a search engine to review what other shoppers | | | | less than the gas and time required to travel to a |
| have to say about their shopping experience here. | | | | traditional brick and mortar store to make a purchase, |
| It’s always a good idea to start your search with a | | | | especially when you add in the extra expenses of |
| large, well known online store. This way, you can see | | | | impulse buys and then lunch at the food court. |
| how a transaction is properly handled, which will help | | | | Review the Online Return Policy |
| you spot red flags when doing business with lesser | | | | |
| known online stores. | | | | Any reputable e-commerce site will clearly state its |
| Secure Online Shopping | | | | return policy. It pays to review this before you make a |
| | | | purchase. Many people wait until they have a problem |
| One of the biggest concerns that keep many people | | | | with a product before they go back to check on the |
| from taking the plunge into the world of e-commerce | | | | company's policies. There is usually a time frame for |
| is credit card and identity theft. They worry that if | | | | returns — generally 30 days is a good policy to look |
| there credit card information is put online it can be | | | | for. |
| easily stolen. Although you should be vigilant to only | | | | You also want to inquire about return shipping policies, |
| shop on secure sites, this fear shouldn't keep you from | | | | as some sites do not reimburse you for the extra cost |
| enjoying the many benefits of online shopping. Even | | | | of a return shipment, sometimes making a return not |
| in-store purchases go through cyberspace, so avoiding | | | | worth the effort. Another important feature to look for |
| online stores won't guard you against credit card theft. | | | | is a receptive customer service unit. Send a test |
| However, what will ensure your protection is shopping | | | | inquiry to see how responsive the site is to its |
| on secure sites. When making a purchase online, you | | | | customer's needs and you'll get a good feel for the |
| should only provide credit card information over a | | | | treatment you will receive once you become a |
| secure site. How do you know if a site is secure? | | | | customer. |
| That's the easy part! Secure sites will have an "https" | | | | Shopping online should simplify your life. By following |
| in the address bar, rather than the standard "http." That | | | | some basic safe surfing practices you can ensure that |
| "s" stands for secure and you can also look for a | | | | every purchase you make online brings you great |
| small padlock icon on the bottom of the browser | | | | results. |
| window to know for sure that this site is secure. | | | | |