Online Shopping Tips

Shopping online is becoming more popular by the day. Not only is it convenient, but there are some great bargains to be had too. However, there are also some traps that you can easily fall into.

To ensure that when shopping online, you do not end up getting caught holding an item that does not work, or a perfume that does not smell, consider the following six tips:

1. Check that the site displays a secure website sign: such as VeriSign, McAfee Secure, or Thawte. These are generally located somewhere towards the bottom of the home page, or the payment page. Such site security protects your personal details, account information and credit card information from being accessed by unauthorised users;

2. Look for an address and telephone number of the website: if you need to return an item, or discuss your account, you need to know where to find the company;

3. Have a look at the return policy: what length of time do you have to return an item? ie: 14 days, 30 days etc. Who pays for the return fees? Where do you post the item? All of these are important things to know when you are spending money;

4. Review the delivery charges: you may be getting a good price on the item, but are you paying for it with inflated delivery costs?

5. Compare prices: compare the price of the item with a retail shop and with similar online shopping websites. There are also a number of comparative price websites that you can use, such as shopferret, myshopping and pricecompare;

6. Sleep on it: sleeping on it gives you the opportunity to decide whether you do actually need a new handbag, or another electrical gadget that may end up sitting in the cupboard with all of the others. Sleeping on it is one of the best ways to prevent unwanted compulsory buying ... that comes from the voice of experience;

© Copyright LP