Online Shopping Tips

In today's fast moving times, online shopping has become like second nature for a large percentage of consumers. Whereas in the "olden days" one had to take the time to primp, brave the weather conditions and

possibly stand in line for an obscene amount of time, we can now shop for virtually anything from the comfort of our home wearing our pajamas if we choose. The convenience is nice, but online shopping also brings its own set of hassles and dangers if you aren't careful Here are some online shopping tips to help you make great selections and to assist in keeping you and your privacy safe.

Credit Card Safety

With online shopping you are required to input your debit or credit card numbers and for many this is scary; and it should be. Those who type in this information are sending it out into the netherworld of the Internet and we have to rely on blind faith in a sense and "secure" website policies to keep our information safe and private.

The best way to keep your information safe is to only visit reputable and secure websites such as Amazon, which has a reputation and history of protecting their customers. Sites that have privacy controls in place will exhibit a small lock sign

or padlock, generally located in the top right hand corner of the website. Other sites are now installing large certifications right on their site which dictates the consumer rights to confidentiality which can be read as well.

If a website does not include any or all of these things, reconsider whether you want to risk putting in such personal and vital information. Additionally, if any of those sites send you an email asking you to confirm your account number, purchase or other personal information, do not respond to the email. Respectable sites do not use email as a way of verifying information and emails do not fall under their privacy clauses, so any information you include in them as a response is not protected. If you think the company is trying to contact you to verify information, the best practice is to call them directly and speak to a customer service representative on a recorded call line.

Use Credit Cards Instead of Debit Cards

It is recommended that you use a credit card rather than a debit card when shopping online. This is because the Fair Credit Billing Act automatically protects consumers from identity theft and therefore if someone uses your card without permission, the likelihood that you will be reimbursed is greater than with a debit card.

Additionally, a line of credit will only extend so far, whereas your debit card draws money from your personal bank account. The damage that can be done immediately when one has their debit card stolen is astronomical, particularly if it is attached to a savings account. Some consumers have had their entire life savings compromised and have lost that money for good. While some banks do offer some theft protection, it often isn't as good or thorough as what credit card companies offer.

If you use your credit card for online shopping often, make it a habit to only use one card. This way, if your account is compromised you only have to contact one company and it's easier to investigate and correct than using multiple cards on multiple sites.

You might also contact your credit card company and see if they offer what is referred to as a "one time credit card" which will expire after one usage as a further measure of protection.

Watch for Restocking and Other Fees

While a company charging a restocking fee isn't unheard of and may be completely legitimate in your opinion, many companies are charging very high rates, especially on returned items which accounts for a lot of online shopping transactions.

Before ordering from a site look at what their restocking fees are. Some companies charge a minimal and respectable 10-25% fee while others charge much more. In some cases consumers end up paying more in restocking fees than the price of the item they bought!

Also keep in mind that small items like DVDs should not have a restocking fee and neither should you pay a restocking fee if you received an item and it was damaged. Additionally look for any other fees that may be charge such as surplus taxes or hidden fees.

Know When to Shop Online

Just like retailers, those who sell things online also have regular sales and there are bargains to be found. NexTag.com is a great site that will allow you to bargain and comparison shop all in one place while Overstock.com has daily deals and slashed prices on everyday and specialty items.

Look online for coupon codes too such as found on FatWallet.com and visit sites like Cybermonday.com which has sales dedicated to specific days of the week for additional savings.