No matter what season, day or hour it is, the mall seems to be always swarming with fast paced consumers. Whether it’s a big sale, grand opening or people leisurely watching others, you can always expect to be just another fish in an overly congested pond when venturing inside a shopping center – Sounds like fun, right? Although I love the mall and enjoy the hustle and bustle of it all, I have found (and millions of others) a more convenient, smarter, less stressful and super easy way to shop; Online Shopping!
I am a member of two shoe clubs, have subscribed to all my favorite stores, receive bi-monthly skin care products, and this is just to name a few. It has most definitely become one of my favorite hobbies. I tend to refer to myself as the online shopping expert. However, this title has not come without experiencing some trial and errors.
Online shopping is one of the safest ways to shop but only if you take the necessary precautions. Here are some things to look for:
While Shopping:
- When making purchases from an unfamiliar or even a familiar website for that matter, do your research! An easy way to start the research process is by entering the business name in your search engine of choice ( i.e. Google, Bing, etc.) and scan through the plethora of review websites, selecting one that appears to offer unbiased customer reviews. This should be sufficient enough to gather the information to help make your decision.
- Visiting the Business Consumer Alliance website is another great reliable source for verifying the legitimacy of a company. You can view their report, check the company rating and read reviews from actual customers. If you need additional help searching for a company, feel free to ask the experts and they will assist you promptly.
- Make sure the business you are purchasing from has their contact info listed. Most legitimate businesses will have information for the public to contact them. Websites withholding this info could mean one of a few things, such as perhaps they are a new company and have yet to fully develop, they could be a struggling business hiding from debt collectors or it could be just a plain ole scam!
- Purchasing through third party vendors like Ebay, Amazon, PayPal, etc. These sites are wonderful because they offer additional layers of buyer protection, check records of the sellers, present time frames of delivery, and offer comparisons and reviews.
The Purchase:
- When purchasing your merchandise, make sure you close all browser windows and clear your internet’s cookies and temporary files. This will establish a protective base for the transaction on your end.
- Look for the website’s SSL certificate (secure socket layer) badge in the footer or header of the site. These certificates represent a trusted checkout process, ensuring that sensitive information you provide in the order form is encrypted.
- Always enter your email address of choice when purchasing; you absolutely want to know if they are trying to contact you. Write down all transaction numbers and codes so if a problem does occur you have all viable information. I actually prefer printing the screen and keeping records.
- Read the fine print. If this is a one-time purchase make sure that there are no monthly dues or recurring fees. This is most prevalent in skin care, vitamins, and makeup transactions.
- Shopping online can sometimes be difficult because you’re unable to put your hands on the product. Before completing a purchase, check to see if the company offers a warranty or a reasonable return policy.
It’s a great idea to leave reviews and feedback when you have completed your purchase. This allows others to make an educated decision and purchase just as you did. If you are dissatisfied, then sellers are also able to improve their selling procedures. (We’d hope at least!)
As I’ve mentioned, I love online shopping and with the right precautions you’re able to avoid scams, protect your credit and enjoy a much more relaxed and secure buying experience.
About The Author:
Breanna Thompson is a writer for Business Consumer Alliance. She has had some of her work published and is avid blogger. Bree finds solace in writing poetry and short stories as well as crafting insightful beauty and fashion reviews. She enjoys writing informative blog articles covering current shopping trends and models in her spare time.