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.

 

Related posts:

1. Six Safety Measures for your Online Shopping Experience
2. Been Online Shopping Lately? You Might Want to Check your Credit Report, Just to be Safe
3. Your Guide to Buying Terrific Toys Online at a Bargain
4. Read This before Buying Baby Gifts Online
5. Five Fail-safe Methods to Have a Scam-free Online Shopping Experience

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