By: William M Hall
Shopping on the internet offers numerous benefits that
you won't find shopping in a store or by mail. There are
no lines to wait in, no automobile traffic, no conflicts
with salespeople, and the most liked
benefit is that many times consumers can purchase online
without sales tax. However, there are some things that
the consumer should be aware of because the internet
does have its hidden dangers. I've listed the 5 most
important tips that should be followed by anyone wishing
to "Shop Online".
1. Use a secure internet connection. Before making a
purchase, make sure that the website owner has icons
indicating that it has software programs and security in
place.
2. Use a credit card for payment. By using a credit
card, you the purchaser are protected by the Fair Credit
Billing Act which will allow you to dispute any charges
that your are unfamiliar with.
3. Do a search for reviews of the vendor by people that
have previously done business with the company. Keep in
mind that most people don't leave reviews unless they
have an unpleasant experience, but it will give you some
general idea of the reliability of the seller.
4. Print a copy of your purchase confirmation sheet. The
time you fail to get a printout of your confirmation is
the time that you won't receive the email confirmation
whether it be for entering a bad email address or
whatever reason. Always keep this confirmation until the
product arrives.
5. Inspect the merchandise upon receipt. Compare the
item to what you ordered. If it took days to weeks to
receive your purchase, refer back to the confirmation
sheet. It is usually a good source to the original
description of the item.
If you follow these steps, you will reduce the
possibility of having a BAD shopping experience on the
internet. Happy Shopping!
