Millions of people every day shop online. You can join the millions of people, even though you might be reluctant to try. Once you get the hang of how easy it is, and how you can protect yourself, you might find you prefer shopping online to any other way. Here are some tips to get you going.
When you are making any purchases online and you are required to make a user account, never use the same passwords that you use on other websites. Do not use your e-mail or banking password to make an account to buy shoes from a web retailer. If someone was able to see this password, they could have access to more than just your profile on the retailer’s store.
A reputable online seller should have a history that is recorded with the Better Business Bureau. Check with the BBB before you part with your hard-earned money to see if there have been any major or continual complaints lodged against them. You don’t want to be spending your money with a company that fails to deliver.
Many of us have a favorite store – are you following your favorite store on Facebook and Twitter? If not, you should be! Companies often announce special offers or sales via social media sites, and by checking their Facebook page or Twitter account regularly, you may find some good deals that you otherwise would have missed out on.
Check to see if the website you are shopping at offers the option to chat live with one of their representatives. These options enable you to get questions answered quickly without having to wait for an email or make a phone call. You might also have the ability to ask for discounts or breaks on shipping. Some will be happy to oblige if you order from them on that same day.
Keep your boxes for what you buy online for 30 days after purchasing any item. This includes the shipping boxes they came in. If something goes wrong in the initial purchase period (for most items 14 to 30 days), you may need to ship the item back in its original packaging. It’s nice then too to have the original shipping box as well since you know it will fit.
Search for coupons before purchasing anything. There are sites out there (one is Retail Me Not) that catalogs these coupon codes for many big websites. If you can’t locate a coupon on the retailer’s site, consider doing an Internet search for a coupon code. You could possibly find a coupon.
The price you are given for an online purchase is usually not the exact price you will end up paying. For instance, taxes, fees, and shipping costs are not added on until the very end of the checkout process. Look at what the final cost will be before you decide whether or not to purchase something.
If you’re making a purchase from a small retailer, don’t be afraid of discounts. Many shop owners will be happy to shave a little money off the price, especially if it’s something they’ve been trying to sell for a long time. The worst that can happen is that you get told no.
Use all the shopping sites at your disposal. You will be able to find different sites that specialize in different products. Then you are able to look through that site to find what you’re looking for. You’ll often get the best possible deal from sites like these. Many times, they will include the cost of shipping.
Do your shopping through websites that offer a reward program if you shop at selected merchants. A typical program enables you to earn points for each dollar spent at participating retailers. Points can be redeemed for gift certificates. This is a great way to get back a little something for the purchases that you have to make anyway.
You might be hesitant to start shopping online, but there’s really no reason to be. This is something that more and more people are doing, with good reason. Make sure you try each of the tips to optimize your shopping experience. You may one day decide that you’re only going to shop this way!
