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.
Find coupon codes when you shop online. Most stores offer discounts or free shipping if you just know the special code. Just enter the word “coupon” along with the name of your favorite store and see what discounts you can find. Taking a few minutes to find a coupon code could end up saving you a few bucks, or might even score you free shipping.
Before making a purchase, compare prices on several websites. Look for special coupons and offers on these websites to make sure you are getting the best deal possible. Also look into what it will cost for the shipping on your items and if there are free shipping options available to you.
If you’re going to buy a lot of items from a site, think about joining any premium programs they offer. The membership is only $79 a year, and there are many benefits. This price includes getting free 2-day shipping when you buy anything that they have in stock and you get discounts on other types of delivery. Also, you get access to a free library of streaming videos. This allows you to save quite a bit overall!
If you’re doing any kind of shopping on the Internet, you have to do it somewhere safe with a safe connection like your house. Hackers target public wireless connections when they want to hack someone, so do not shop through a public connection.
If you do a lot of online shopping, consider investing in anti-virus software. Most Internet users are bargain hunters. As you search for discount codes and deals, you may inadvertently stumble across a virus. Also, if you are looking for an obscure product or service, you may be redirected to some questionable sites as well. Your software can help direct you to safety.
Look into online shopping clubs. Sites like ebates.com have some tremendous offers. You not only find out about sales going on at different sites, but they pay you a percentage of your purchase when you buy from those sites. It is a great way to get a bonus check every four months and get the things you need.
If you see an item you’d like to buy online, but want to pay a little less, add it to your cart. Most stores will save the items you put in your cart, which means you can come by and check for price drops regularly. Just don’t wait too long. The item you want might disappear.
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.
Live Help and Live Chat are very desirable customer service options for any online retailer. This service allows you to get your questions answered quickly. You can even ask for deals, such as free shipping. Some retailers will offer a discount if you order while you are on Live Chat.
Look for the lock in your browser when you are shopping online. This means that the site you’re doing your shopping with has definitely taken the necessary precautions to ensure your safety. This will help you to take every safety measure possible when shopping.
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.
If you’re making a purchase from a small retailer, don’t be afraid for discounts. Many shop owners will be happy to shave a little money off the price, especially if it’s something they’ve been trying to sell for a long time. The worst that can happen is that you get told no.
Do your research when shopping from auction sites like eBay. These sites differ from other sites, as the merchandise is typically coming from people and not companies. Read up on the site’s rules and policies, as well as the legal terms. This will prevent you from getting yourself into a dilemma with a seller.
When ordering a costly item online, be safe and pay extra by using a carrier like UPS, FedEx or another reliable company. This allows the package to be insured, thus protecting you further. If you will be at work when it arrives, have it delivered to a family member, friend or neighbor instead.
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.
