Thursday, May 29, 2008

Few Tips on How to be a Smart Online-shopper

Want to make sure that you’re buying genuine Pandora Jewelry for your collection? Or do you consider having business with another online store because you can’t understand the policies and terms of the one you’re dealing with?

Evade the risk of being defraud while shopping online by keeping in mind the following dos and don’ts:

Online Store
There are instances when consumers thought they were transacting with trustworthy retailer when in fact they were being tricked by unscrupulous individual into giving out their financial information.
  • Don’t close a deal with an online store that you haven’t background-checked.
  • Do test the legitimacy of the store by confirming its physical address and contact information or by checking consumer reviews about it.

Product Quality and Authenticity
Since it’s a purchase made online where you can only see the product, not getting what you paid for can’t be avoided. This is why it is a must for online stores to present actual picture and accurate account of the product.
  • Don’t compromise product-quality and authenticity by haphazardly reading through the product description.
  • Do read closely every single description of the product and compare it with other online shops.

Cost and Terms
Cost and terms are very critical in online shopping as some shops have hidden charges and some do not shoulder delivery/shipping costs of your purchase; also there are prices that are “too good to be true” with reference to the product.
  • Don’t just agree and buy without knowing all the details of the transaction.
  • Do check out terms of the agreement and visit price comparison websites to make sure you got the best deal.

Financial Information
Legitimate companies do not ask this data by email. Also, there are hackers out there that steal account information and credit card numbers from unsecured merchant’s website.
  • Don’t disclose financial information through email.
  • Do look for Secure Sockets Layer encryption or URL that starts with “https” or quality seals to ensure that the site is protected when entering your credit card information.

Privacy Policy
This statement answers the “what”, “why” and “how” in consumer’s mind with regards to the personal information they supply. Since its confidentiality is of significance to consumers, this part ensures them that the data are being taken cared of and will not in any way be provided for spam or telemarketing purposes.
  • Don’t miss out the privacy policy.
  • Do read this part carefully and make sure that each online store you deal with has this guideline.