SolveYourProblem Article Series: Online Shopping
Teach Me To Shop Smarter Online
Online
Shopping Advice For Newbies
It seems not too long ago that just a few
folks were even entertaining the idea of E-commerce and it’s
safety. Today, the retail world has made a giant shift to the
Internet and shoppers are following right along. With the advancement
of Internet security and the world of retail stores available
at their home computers, consumers are taking advantage of
the exploding E-commerce world. From pharmaceuticals, travel
plans, groceries to cars, the consumer can click away their
needs. The price bidding wars are allowing shoppers to find
great deals on items. Using this buying advice for newbie online
shoppers, everyone can become a savvy cyber-shopper.
* A
good shopper knows that when a deal is good to be true
it probably is. This is especially true with online
shopping. Just as there a merchants with bad products in
the real retail
world, there are also merchants to be careful of on the Internet.
Watch out for scam artists.
*
Watch out for “phishing”. This is when you we receive an
email requesting information. The message is typically disguised
as being from a trusted retailer.
*
Shop at secure websites. How can you tell if a web site is
secure? It uses encryption technology to transfer information
from your computer to the online merchant’s computer. Encryption
scrambles the information you send, such as your credit card
number, in order to prevent computer hackers from obtaining
it en route. The only people who can unscramble the code are
those with legitimate access. Look for the
You can tell when you are dealing with a secure
web site in
several ways.
First, look at the top of your screen where the web site address
is displayed. You should see https://. The “s” that is displayed
after “http” indicates that web site is secure. Often, you
do not see the “s” until you actually move to the order page
on the web site.
Another way to determine if a web site is secure is to look
for a closed padlock displayed at the bottom of your screen.
If that lock is open, you should assume it is not a secure
site.
Look for online merchants who are members of a seal-of-approval
program that sets voluntary guidelines for privacy-related
practices, such as TRUSTe, Verisign, and BBB.
*
Research the Web Site before You Order. Do business with
companies you already know. If the company is unfamiliar,
do your homework
before buying its products. If you decide to buy something
from an unknown company, start out with an inexpensive order
to learn if the company is trustworthy.
Reliable companies should advertise their physical business
address and at least one phone number, either a customer service
or an order line. Call the phone number and ask questions to
determine if the business is legitimate. Even if you call after
hours, many companies have a “live” answering service, especially
if they don’t want to miss orders.
*
Learn the Merchant’s Cancellation, Return and Complaint-Handling
Policies.
Even under the best of circumstances, shoppers sometimes need
to return merchandise. Check the web site for cancellation
and return policies. What re the procedures if you are not
satisfied? Who pays for shipping? Is there a guarantee?
*
Cash, check or charge? The safest way to shop on the Internet
is with a credit card. If something goes wrong, you’re protected
under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act. You have the right
to dispute charges on your credit card, and you can withhold
payments during a creditor investigation. If it’s determined
that your credit was used without authorization, you are responsible
only for the first $50 in charges. You are rarely asked to
pay this charge. Make sure your credit card is a true credit
card and not a debit card, a check card, or an ATM card. As
with checks, a debit card exposes your bank account to thieves.
Your checking account could be wiped out in minutes. Further,
debit and ATM cards are not protected by federal law to the
extent that credit cards are. Be sure to print and save all
your records.
The risks are out there but the benefits of online shopping
far outweigh them. Most of the security risks you face while
shopping online are not much worse than when you hand your
credit card and drivers license over to a retail employee.
Using today’s Internet security and this buying advice for
newbie online shoppers makes comparing prices an experience
a much more efficient process.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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