Shopping online from the convenience of your own home is one of the miracles bestowed upon us by the internet. We can easily buy anything from our weekly groceries to our automobiles with just the click of a mouse. However, with the ease of online shopping come some risks–identity theft, false advertising, and scams to name a few. Keep reading to learn how to reap the rewards of online shopping while protecting yourself and scoring great deals.
Consider upgrading to premium accounts on your favorite online stores. This membership only costs $79 annually, and you get a lot for the money. Free two-day shipping, discounts on next day shipping and even special deals on items. You also get access to their online streaming library, which is similar to Hulu or Netflix. That means even more money saved.
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.
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.
If you receive an email that looks like it is sent from a legitimate site offering you a great deal, make sure that you check the address bar before buying anything. There are many scammers out there that spoof legitimate sites in order to get unsuspecting people’s personal information.
Use sites that just search through online retailers to narrow now your searches. This helps you to narrow down your choices a little more easily than a simple Google search. You’ll be taken directly to commercial sites that are selling the things you want to buy if you search through shopping-focused sites such as ShopStyle.com.
Watch out for online retailer discounts that have short expiration dates. Too many online shoppers fall for the urgency of a good discount without really thinking it through. If the discount is for items that you need, it may be a good idea to use it. However, if the discount only applies to things that you wouldn’t buy otherwise, it’s not a good deal. Keep in mind that you could also find a better deal elsewhere, so think about it and do your research before you buy.
The cost of gas can greatly add to the cost of shopping, especially when you have to visit different stores in different areas. You can save money on gas and time wasted in traffic and shop online. You may think that you may spend more on shipping but many sites offer free shipping and if you buy multiple items, the savings add up quickly.
The stores that you shop at the most might have an app for your phone, so look into this. These apps can be useful in a number of ways. First, you purchase sales items while you are out and about. Also, if you find an item you like in a store, you can load up your mobile application to see if you can get it cheaper elsewhere.
Many websites will show you any daily deals that are going on. That said, be warned that they’re sometimes too good to be true. Check the deal’s shipping costs, terms and whether or not the company selling the item is on the up and up.
If you decide to buy a pricey product, consider upgrading your shipping so that you are provided with tracking information. Go ahead and pay a bit more if you can guarantee that your item can be expedited or insured. If you won’t be home when your package is suppose to arrive, ask trusted neighbors to accept the package from the delivery service.
The privacy policy is there for your protection. Though the jargon may seem convoluted, the privacy policy for a shopping site will let you know how your personal information is handled. Will your personal data and payment information be stored with the merchant? Will data be shared with third parties? This is information you should know before giving personal info.
As you are well aware, shopping online from your home computer or mobile device is highly convenient. You don’t have the hassle of dealing with traffic or lines at the store. However, certain risks come with online shopping. You now know how to avoid these risks and fully enjoy the online shopping experience.
