Online Shopping Tips

Why drive to the shopping mall through busy crowds of traffic, chase out a parking space, and then wait in line, when you can enjoy relaxed shopping without even getting dressed and leaving your home?


Through just your computer window, you can buy almost any product online - from electronics to gifts, automobile, clothing, food, jewelries, and even home loans. The Internet has made it possible for consumers to shop at thousands of online stores, browse through lots of products to find just what you are looking for, and pay for their purchases without ever leaving home. For many people, online shopping saves valuable weekend time for their families


The Internet has become the favorite shopping experience for millions of people in recent years. Consumers have discovered that not only it is easier and faster to shop online, it's also often cheaper. With so many online retailers competing through a single window, the online deals and bargains to be found are usually better than the ones in physical stores. Many of online retailers offer coupon codes that can be typed in during checkout to give you a percentage off on your purchase or free shipping.


Some people think that shopping online is risky. Is it true?

It's true. But with some simple steps you can overcome these problems.

Followings are the guidelines you have to ensure before making online purchase.



SHOP AT ONLY SECURE WEBSITES:

Secure websites use encryption technology. Encryption scrambles the information you send, such as address, phone number, and credit card numbers, to prevent hackers from obtaining the information as it travels from your computer to the store's computer.


There are two things to look for to ensure that your personal data will be encrypted.


* An icon of a small locked padlock will appear in the bottom right of your internet explorer window.

* The URL of the web page should begin with "https", (Note the "s") at the beginning of their Web address instead of just "http". You may not actually see the "s" until you proceed to the actual order page of the website.


EXPLORE THE WEBSITE BEFORE YOU PLACE AN ORDER:

Reliable companies should display a physical business address and at least one telephone number.


READ THE WEBSITE'S SECURITY POLICIES AND PRIVACY STATEMENT: Every reputable online shopping site provides information about how it processes your order, and how your personal information will be handled. The privacy policies should tell you what type of information they gather, what they do with it, and whether or not it will be shared with other companies. Check the site to see if there is a third-party seal of approval posted from a trusted source like the Better Business Bureau Online, Verisign or TRUSTe. The stamp of approval from these organizations means the web site has agreed to be held to strict standards in how they handle personal information, as well as customer complaints.


NEVER, EVER GIVE OUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

There is never any reason for an online merchant to ask for your Social Security number, so if they do, this should be a warning to you. Giving out your Social Security number results in identity theft.


TAKE A LOOK ON THE COMPANY'S SHIPPING INFORMATION AND RETURN POLICIES:

A company must ship your order within the time stated in their advertisement. If no time frame is stated, the merchant must ship the product within 30 days, or give you the option of canceling the order and receiving a refund.


ALWAYS PRINT OUT A COPY OF YOUR ORDER CONFIRMATION PAGE:

After you place an order online, you will receive a confirmation page that contains the detail of your order, including charges, customer information, product information, and an order number. You should take a print out of page.

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