The main benefits of shopping online are convenience, range of product available and the price to be paid. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can potentially be ripped off. Continue perusing the tips and information found below and prepared yourself to become a skilled navigator of online shopping portals.
Sign up for the website’s newsletter if they have one. Many times stores will give you a discount or some type of deal when you sign up for their newsletter. Find out if there is a deal associated with signing up for the newsletter at any store you want to shop at.
When you enjoy the convenience of frequent online shopping, it’s very important to keep changing the passwords you use for each account. Every couple of weeks or so, make up a new password for your bank and the shopping sites directly. Use abstract words, combined with numbers and other odd characters for the strongest passwords.
If you are going to be doing some shopping online, make sure you understand the liability for each credit card you use online. Many credit cards have automatic fraud prevention built in while others offer it for a minimal fee. You do not want to get stuck with purchases made on your card if the number is stolen.
If you shop frequently at a certain website or online store, it may be worth it to sign up for their email updates which usually have special offers and sales. This can translate into savings for you as you may get a discount on the item or even free shipping, which can add up to bigger savings if you buy from the site often.
If you have questions while shopping, look for a live chat function on the online store. Many big brands (and even some boutique stores) now have this functionality. You can chat immediately with a customer service representative to fix any issues or answer any questions before you purchase. That can give you a lot of peace of mind.
Do most of your Internet shopping at home or through some other connection that you know to be a safe one. Hackers look for WI-Fi connections in public places when they are scouting for victims, so avoid shopping when using them.
You should think about purchasing a prepaid debit card and loading it when you intend to make purchases. This will help you avoid using debit or credit accounts that have a large balance. If someone gets the prepaid card information, there will be nothing on the card for them to take.
Never make your final purchase without searching for coupon or promo codes. It takes just a few seconds to enter the store’s name and the words “coupon code” into a search engine. More often than not, you should be able to find coupon codes for a percentage off of your order, free shipping, or a fixed amount off of a large purchase.
Wait a day before you buy something. It’s really easy to click “confirm order”, but remember that’s real money you’re spending! Before you buy something, take a full 24 hours to see if you still like it tomorrow. This can be a great way to avoid a return and spending too much money.
If you do a lot of online shopping, it would be a great idea for you to download an anti-phishing toolbar to your computer. This will help weed out any sites that may be asking you for information with the intent of scamming you. You can find this software all over the Internet for free.
Read the product description carefully for any item you purchase. Check out every detail, including sizing and features. Be mindful that the image you see on the product description may not be a true representation of what you are buying.
Shop with a friend to save money. Many times an online store will offer free shipping or another discount if you spend a certain amount of money. If you find that you will not be spending the amount needed, ask a friend if they need anything from the store so you can both save money.
Know that when an item says it’s refurbished, it may also mean surplus inventory. Read the description to determine if the product has been repaired or is merely excess stock. Looking to items that are surplus or refurbished can save you quite a bit in the long run.
Most credit cards offer an identify-theft protection program. Therefore, when shopping online, only use your credit card to make purchases. If you ever have a charge show up that you are concerned about, your credit card company will look into the matter for you. Debit cards are much riskier and should be avoided.
You should be able to access your credit card statements online. Get in the habit of checking them at least once a week, particularly if you shop online a lot. If a charge pops up that you don’t recognize, you will be able to dispute it right away. However, if you don’t check it soon enough, you may not have any recourse.
Be serious about any passwords you set up. Do not pick phrases and words that will be easy for someone else to guess. Online accounts with online stores are great for accessing your credit card and sometimes more. Make it difficult for online crooks to hack your information. Make sure you have a number of random passwords containing numbers, letters and symbols.
It should come as no surprise that online shopping is booming. There is unprecedented selection, highly competitive prices and more companies than anyone could count. With what you have learned in the above article, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting what you need the next time you’re shopping online.