Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 2:46 pm by opus:interactive
INTERNET SHOPPING SAFETY
Most Internet shopping experiences are good. But some turn sour. Typically, these bad experiences involve a disagreement over price, product or delivery time—and sometimes they’re outright scams with little chance of resolution. The good news is that bad experiences aren’t random. They happen, predictably, to unvigilant shoppers. Common sense prevails. By exercising good judgment, the guidelines below will help you shop online with safety and confidence.
Shop at reputable online retailers
Would you mail a $500 check to an unfamiliar business? I thought not. Likewise, you probably shouldn’t give your credit card number to an Internet retailer you’ve never heard of. Reputable retailers are just that—reputable. They’re typically not in the business of bilking people. What’s more, they often invest in the latest Internet security systems to maintain customer privacy.
Some reputable retailers, like Amazon.com, sell through the Internet exclusively. Others, like Powell’s Books, sell though stores and the Internet. In fact, many of the “brick and mortar” retailers that you’ll find downtown or at the mall have online counterparts. By shopping online at reputable retailers, you can save the drive, skip the lines and have your goods delivered to your doorstep.
Research before you buy
Make an informed purchase. If you’re buying a digital camera, for instance, refer to the manufacture’s Web site to make sure the online retailer uses the same product name and model number. Read the fine print to ensure you’re not unwittingly buying a factory second, or a product that’s watered-down or refurbished.
Beware of hidden or exorbitant charges
Compare prices on the Internet before you buy. If one vendor’s price looks too good to be true, it just might be. Before you submit an order, make sure you’ve verified the TOTAL price, including shipping. (Unscrupulous retailers have been known to swindle customers through inflated shipping charges.)
Read return policies
Some retailers tout hassle-free return policies. Others won’t authorize a return for something that’s been opened, even if the item isn’t exactly what you want. Still others will gladly accept a return—for an extortionate restocking fee. The lesson: Understand the retailer’s return policy before you buy.
Confirm stock and delivery
Before you commit to an order, make sure the vendor has the product in stock. Then find out how long it will take to fill the order and ship it to your doorstep. An upstanding retailer won’t charge you until it begins filling the order.
Pay by credit card
Never pay for an online transaction with cash or check. Use a credit card. Credit cards create a firewall between your finances and a vendor. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a consumer can dispute and withhold payment while a credit card company investigates possible errors or fraudulence. PayPal (often used for eBay purchases) offers additional consumer protection by acting as a firewall between your credit card and a vendor.
Shop on “secure” Web sites
Secure Web sites prevent third parties from accessing your name and financial information. When you go to “check out,” note how the Web site address changes from “http:” to “https:” The “s” indicates you’re working on a secure online form. Similarly, a lock icon will appear in the bottom right of your browser. You should avoid entering personal information on non-secure pages. Though secure pages aren’t failsafe, using them in conjunction with the advice above will help you stay out of trouble. Note: E-mail is not a secure means of conveying financial information.
Print and keep receipts
Most online purchases create a confirmation page detailing items, prices and delivery information. Print it out and save it. In addition, online purchases usually generate a confirmation e-mail. Save this as well.
Read the privacy policy
Before you divulge your e-mail address or personal information, look for a privacy policy that clearly states that your information will not be shared or sold to a third party.
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