As the
holidays draw nearer, we can expect even more consumers to hit the malls or
online shops. In fact, recent data by Shops.org says that retail web sales will
increase by 12% compared to last year’s holiday shopping season,and it’s
expected to fetch between $92billion to $96 billion. Forrester Research
also forecasts that online shopping spending in the US will reach a whopping
$327 billion in 2016, up 62% from $202 billion in 2011. Given the
increasing popularity of online shopping, here are some guidelines you might
want to keep in mind when buying from your favorite e-stores.
- Read the Fine Print
Items should generally have a detailed
description. For example, if you’re buying second-hand books, you’d
usually see if the book is in excellent, good, or fair condition. Each of
these categories would usually have an accompanying description (such as “doodles
on the page”, “missing dust jacket”, etc.). If you’re shopping for
clothes, there would also usually be precise measurements and a note if the
item is used or not. If no description exists, contact the seller and ask
for a description of the item before you buy it. Sometimes, your definition of
“good” is not the same as the seller’s definition.
In addition, you should also read about the
merchant’s additional fees, like shipping fees and restocking fees. Shipping
can be free or come with certain charges depending on whether it will be via
express or regular shipping. If you’re going to have your item shipped
instead of picked up, make sure that you ask for a tracking number so you can
track your purchase through the courier. Restocking fees, meanwhile, are
fees on returned items. Some are reasonable, but some can also be hard to
swallow. Before checking out your item, read the store’s return policies.
Another item you should read is other
customers’ feedback on the store. Be wise in checking this as some would post
fake reviews of their products. Also, even though you see a 98% positive
rating, it’s still best to read the actual reviews. Sometimes, because of the
number of shoppers, the most negative reviews worthy of your consideration get
buried online.
- Shop only at secure websites
Secure sites use encryption technology to
transfer information from your personal computer to the e-store’s
computer. Symbols on the screen such as unbroken key or a closed padlock
will tell you that the website is secure. Another way is to look at the
address bar and check if it displays “https://” instead of “http://”. In
addition, read the privacy and security policy of the merchant. This will
determine which information is gathered and is shared (or not shared) with
others. If the merchant does not have a privacy and security policy,
consider taking your business elsewhere.
- Use the card
The safest way to pay for your purchases is
to use a credit card, because you’re protected by laws. The Fair Credit Billing
Act protects you from fraud and identity theft if you decide to use plastic.
Meanwhile, the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act makes it illegal for
online sellers to give out your credit card number and any other financial
account number to a third party for sales purposes, a practice called data
passing. Also, unlike debit cards, which draw directly from your bank account,
credit cards only represent an extension of your credit. Some banks also
offer single-use credit cards, which expire after one transaction. You’re
also given extra protection with a single-use credit card, since only the
credit card company should know which account the card is linked to.
Be a safe online shopper and you’ll find
your holiday shopping to be a convenient and pleasurable experience.
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