Tips for smarter shopping online
When shopping online, it pays to do your homework on the huge range of options available. There are plenty of advantages to shopping online - you can shop at any time, you don't need to worry about parking and your purchases are delivered to your door! Online auctions can also be a lot of fun with many bargains to be found.
However there are a number of traps to watch out for. Use your common sense and some simple steps to ensure your online shopping experience is as safe and successful as possible.
Firstly be wary if the website looks suspicious, unprofessional or makes unrealistic promises. As the old saying goes, bargains which look too good to be true often are. Don’t make any purchase from a website that doesn’t have a secure payment system or valid digital certificate. Look for a padlock logo on the checkout page indicating a secure site before typing in your credit card number.
Know exactly what you’re buying. Read the description of the product carefully -check the sizing used i.e. US, UK, EUR, the colour, cost and features.
When it comes to sizing, know your brand. Sizes vary from brand to brand, so bear this in mind when shopping online. If you’re splurging on a new designer, do your homework to ascertain what size you’ll be. It will save you time, hassles and money in the long run. You can always try similar items on in store and buy sale items online.
Take the time to read and research product reviews to find out what other customers think and whether the product is worth the money. Check out comparison websites such as Google Shopping to check your preference against others in the same space.
And before ordering, go to Google and enter the merchant’s web site with the word “coupon” or “promotional code.” You may be able to get a discount on your purchase or shipping costs or both.
For online purchases make sure you read the fine print – particularly refunds, returns and complaints handling policies.
Check the currency, postage and handling, and other charges – there may be extra charges you aren't aware of. Use a secure payment method such as PayPal, BPAY, or your credit card. Avoid money transfers and direct debit, as these can be open to abuse. And never send your bank or credit card details via email.
Always print and keep a copy of the transaction. Print and save all records of your online orders, including your online receipt, order number and customer service number. Keep records of any emails to and from the seller.
With sites like eBay and Gumtree, always conduct transactions within the website. Avoid private contact or payment directly with buyers or sellers – scammers will use this ploy to offer a better but often dodgy deal.
And finally consider using only one credit card, with a low credit limit, for all your online shopping. This not only helps to keep you on budget, but if there’s a problem, you’ll know exactly for what and where the card was used.