Monday, December 04, 2006
Lots of folks will be shopping online this holiday season, much to the chagrin of retailers who count on mall sales to boost profits. If you are like me though and are crunched for time, shopping online is incredibly easy, but there are a few things you need to know before you start. Here are a few pointers:
1) Here's a great website called Scam Busters . This will help you weed out any scam offers that come your way. Also, when shopping online, make sure you have the most updated anti-virus software installed.
2) Be wary of e-mail offers that request sensitive information like social security number, credit card information, paypal account password, and/or bank account information. These scream "SCAM".
3) When considering shopping on a website, check for watchdog logos like BBBOnline or TrustE. This will let you know that the site is being checked regularly.
4) Check the website's policies on shipping and returns, but also on their privacy policy. You don't want them to submit your information to a list.
5) If product reviews are offered on a site, take them with a grain of salt. Some people just like the power of giving bad reviews if they are cranky or disgruntled. Read all the reviews, and if there are only a couple, then ignore the bad ones.
6) Don't pay online with a debit card if you don't have to. They don't offer you much protection. Opt for credit cards only when shopping and, if possible, dedicate one card only to shopping online.
7) When supplying credit card information, make sure the site is secured. Usually, a notice will pop up that the site is a secured one.
8) If a site asks you to register first, be careful about what information you give them. Don't ever give them your social security number (make one up if you have to). Same with birth date and mother's maiden name. If you feel suspicious about sharing, then go with your gut feeling and don't do it.
9) Print and save confiramtion pages so that you have a hard copy of your purchase details.
10) If you used a comparison site to make your purchase and things did not go smoothly, alter the comparison shopping site. If they hear of a problem, they may be able to step in and help you out, or, at the very last, drop the site if they are unreliable.
Be sure to check Susan's Spa today for some great online shopping sites.
1) Here's a great website called Scam Busters . This will help you weed out any scam offers that come your way. Also, when shopping online, make sure you have the most updated anti-virus software installed.
2) Be wary of e-mail offers that request sensitive information like social security number, credit card information, paypal account password, and/or bank account information. These scream "SCAM".
3) When considering shopping on a website, check for watchdog logos like BBBOnline or TrustE. This will let you know that the site is being checked regularly.
4) Check the website's policies on shipping and returns, but also on their privacy policy. You don't want them to submit your information to a list.
5) If product reviews are offered on a site, take them with a grain of salt. Some people just like the power of giving bad reviews if they are cranky or disgruntled. Read all the reviews, and if there are only a couple, then ignore the bad ones.
6) Don't pay online with a debit card if you don't have to. They don't offer you much protection. Opt for credit cards only when shopping and, if possible, dedicate one card only to shopping online.
7) When supplying credit card information, make sure the site is secured. Usually, a notice will pop up that the site is a secured one.
8) If a site asks you to register first, be careful about what information you give them. Don't ever give them your social security number (make one up if you have to). Same with birth date and mother's maiden name. If you feel suspicious about sharing, then go with your gut feeling and don't do it.
9) Print and save confiramtion pages so that you have a hard copy of your purchase details.
10) If you used a comparison site to make your purchase and things did not go smoothly, alter the comparison shopping site. If they hear of a problem, they may be able to step in and help you out, or, at the very last, drop the site if they are unreliable.
Be sure to check Susan's Spa today for some great online shopping sites.
# posted by Susan : 4:54 AM
