Shopping Smart

Posted on December 14, 2006, 7:10 pm by cipher27 under Tips, Tutorials, Guides & How-Tos

The holidays are upon us and shopping for gifts is on everyones minds. With the popularity of sites like eBay and Amazon online shopping enjoys a new found popularity. The convenience of shopping from home and having the product delivered to their doorstep has enticed many users to test the waters of online shopping. While some people prefer to do their holiday shopping in stores most users now prefer to do their shopping online from the comfort of their homes. Although e-commerce has taken giant strides on the internet and is one of the safest ways to shop, there are some dangers that lurk on the net, this guide will help you shop safe and smart. and help you have the best shopping experience possible.

Here are a few tips to make your online shopping safer and easier.

1. check out the site's background
Before shopping at a site check out the background of the site. Google for reviews about the site. Make sure that the sites you are shopping at are reputable and have received favorable reviews. Often you can find a small logo at the bottom of the site which certifies the site as safe, look for a Verisign or a TRUSTe logo. Always shop with reputed companies which have recognized brand names and dedicated customers service departments to handle customer complaints

2. Protect your privacy
Do not give out sensitve information like your bank account number or passwords on any site.

3. Install an anti-phishing toolbar
Even if a site displays a secure logo and looks secure the site might actually be a fake site made to look exactly like the original.for E.g. a site that looks like eBay.com might actually be a fake site being hosted on servers in Russia. In order to detect such fake sites you can install a anti-phishing toolbar like the Netcraft toolbar.

4. Compare prices
Use a price comparison site like Froogle to compare prices and look for the best price, beware of the deals that sound too good to be true they usually are. Compare prices on several sites for the same product and look for a site that might not necessarily offer the lowest price but the best service possible, you might lose a few dollars but might have a safer experience because of your prudence.

5. Read the privacy and return policies
Make sure you read the refund and return policy as well as any legal disclaimers they might have. Make sure that the return policy allows you to return the package in a set period of time and does not impose undue restrictions. Read the fine print some shady websites get away with almost anything because their costumers fail to read the fine print.

6.Ensure all transactions are done on a secure computer
Make sure that all transactions are carried out on a secure SSL Connection. Do not carry out transactions in a Cyber cafe or at the library.

7.protect your credit card numbers
If you posses multiple credit cards use a card that has a low credit limit this way even if some gets hold of your credit card numbers they will not be able spend everything you have. Use different card to purchase online and a different card to purchase in brick and mortar stores, if anything bad happens you can at least pinpoint where it happened. Use gift cards as an alternate means of currency buy a gift card and then load it up with as much money as you might want and use it as a "one time use credit card" this way you will prevent data theft and preserve your credit card numbers.

8. Choose the best possible shipping method
Certain stores offer free shipping after you purchase crosses a set amount. In order to qualify for free shipping add a few products to meet that criteria and qualify for free shipping. Certain stores also offer free ship to store where you can pick the product at the store once it is delivered, consider doing this for most electronics and house hold articles. If you are ordering something fragile or expensive you should consider paying a little more for insurance.

9. Print a copy of the order and the online receipt
Print a copy of the online receipt and any reference numbers for future correspondence also make a note of the customer support telephone number and email.

10. Ensure package delivery at a convenient time
Ensure that the package can be delivered at your home address at a convenient time and that the package receipt should be confirmed with a signature in order to prevent some one else taking delivery of your packages. Once you receive the package you had ordered make sure that the package is not damaged in any way, make sure the site delivered the right product if you find any damages or that you find if the wrong product has been delivered then contact the customer care department immediately.

11. Keep your anti-virus definitions updated & run regular spyware checks
Run spyware and virus scans on your computer periodically to ensure no key loggers or other password stealing software is installed on your computer.

12. Track your online purchases
Track your purchases and make sure you have not been billed for something you never purchased, if this happens stay calm contact the vendor's customer support department to get the issue resolved. In case of fraud call your credit card company and file a credit card fraud report. Most American bank have a strict policy against credit card fraud and usually protect the user from such crime.

13.Retain invoices and receipts
Always retain receipts and order invoice for a minimum of 2-3 years this might come in handy in case the product you purchased goes faulty and you need to return the product or need to get it fixed.

14. Register the products you have purchased
Always register the products that you buy. Registering your product enables the manufacture to provide you with timely product related information or any advisories/recalls they might have.

15. Tips for shopping on eBay, Craigslist and other similar sites
If you are bidding on auctions on sites like eBay.com or purchasing from vendors listed on Craiglist.org beware of people who might cheat you by sending you spurious or inferior products check the seller rating and make sure you have a good idea of what the product is about.

Hope the above tips help you in your holiday shopping and enable you to have a much safer and easier shopping experience.

Happy Holidays!!!