It is tough to beat shopping online in terms of the convenience and the selection of products available. But, if you are a little naive to the ways of online shopping then you could find yourself being taken advantage of. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about online shopping to make it a safe and pleasurable experience.
Read customer testimonials before you buy anything. People are more than happy to complain about bad service online, so look for sites and testimonials that are terrible so that you know what you’re getting into. You should take bad reviews with a grain of salt, but if you see many, you know there is a problem.
Always read every detail on the product page of an item you want to buy. Seeing only an online photo can really be deceiving. Products may look larger or smaller than they actually are. Be sure you read over descriptions so you’re sure of what you’re going to buy.
When shopping online, be sure the site you are on begins with “https”. The “S” means that the site is secure, which entails that you can safely enter your personal information without having to worry about identity theft. If a site does not have the “S” in it, you may want to avoid using it.
When buying clothing or shoes online, always check on the site’s return policy. Since judging size can be difficult by sheer guesstimation alone, you want to make sure you can return or exchange the item if it doesn’t fit. Otherwise, use a tape-measure and chart to determine your exact size for the country of origin you are purchasing from.
When ordering a product from an online store, make sure the URL of the page starts with HTTPS instead of HTTP. This is a sign that the page is secure and that you can submit your payment information without having to worry. If you do not notice this HTTPS, go through a different store.
Unless you need an item right away, avoid choosing the expedited shipping option when shopping online. Most websites will charge you a fortune to have your items delivered the next day or the day after. Most of the time, standard shipping is much cheaper and your items will still come within a few days.
One way to save money is through points programs. For example, Swagbucks.com and MyPoints.com offer members the ability to earn points with their purchases. They also offer coupons for certain brands. When you redeem your points, you can get merchandise or gift cards, saving you even more money down the road.
Work with sites you can comparison shop with, like Froggle. Just enter the item you seek, and the site will provide you with price comparisons and websites to visit. No price comparison site can include data from every online retailer, however. If you aren’t happy with the prices you see, look elsewhere.
Encourage your teenagers to do some of their own shopping online. If you give your kids a prepaid credit card, they can buy some of their own school clothes on the Internet. You can keep track of where they’re spending their money with the prepaid card’s history functions, and they don’t have you hanging around while they pick things out.
Make sure you understand what you are getting when ordering a product online. Do not rely only on the picture or the title of a product page to determine what you are buying. Go through the description and specifics very carefully to get a better idea of what you are buying.
If you lead a hectic lifestyle, or work odd hours, it can often be difficult to make it to the store before they close. Online shopping, however, is something that you can do at any hour of the day (or night!), and may therefore be a more convenient choice for you.
One great tip to help you save more money is joining forums and message boards whose focus is on online shopping. Other consumers will let you know when there is a great deal available. Message boards are an excellent way to get some detailed reviews, coupon codes and useful information about promotional offers.
Don’t forget to check for promo codes before checking out online. Many websites offer student discounts, free savings and free shipping when you sign up to their newsletter. If you take the time to ferret out the best deals before you commit to your purchase, you can take a huge bite out of the amount you end up paying.
Shopping online has exploded in popularity, and it is easy to understand why. The variety available proves there is something for everyone. Now that you’ve read this article, it will be easy to find the product you want on the Internet, so get shopping.
