Home Shopping Online

One of the fundamental requirements of safe online shopping is that one should be sure about the credibility of the website. It should be ascertained that the website belongs to a genuine dealer and it is a reliable source. You have to collect the address and telephone number of the dealer before entering into transactions.

Once the identity is verified and the credibility of the dealer is assured, place order for the goods or services you require. But despite the fact that the dealer is a reliable source, you cannot assume that the price quoted by him is reasonable. Therefore you have to compare the prices either after browsing the internet and visiting similar websites or through the price comparison services available in the internet.

Another factor you should verify is whether the dealer has a return policy. In case of any problem with the product regarding the quality or quantity, you must be entitled to return and claim replacement. There are some dealers who insist that they do not have return policy. The customer should be very cautious about dealing with them. It is better to avoid transactions with such dealers.
Retain a copy of the online transactions for your future reference. All relevant information regarding warranty, return policy, shipping charges if any, and product information received from the dealer should be retained. In case of any discrepancy in the bills or about the products, you can contact the Credit Card Company or Bank and report about the deficiency in service.
Never reveal the bank account details or credit card particulars like pass word to any one. Generally reputed dealers will never ask for such personal data. Only fictitious dealers adopt such malpractices.

Regarding the branded items or patented products make sure that the dealer with whom you are transacting is a recognized or approved dealer of the company concerned. In case of any dispute or litigation regarding the quality of the product and it becomes imperative to opt for return or replacement, the question whether you have purchased the product from an approved dealer becomes relevant.

The online shopping is a very convenient and time saving proposition. It is comparatively cheaper also. However it depends on many factors pointed out above. Unlike the conventional shopping, the customer cannot see the product and satisfy himself about its quality or quantity. It is therefore solely depended on the credibility of the dealer. A reliable dealer and a satisfied customer are the two pivotal of this modern shopping process. In the absence of mutual trust and healthy relationship between the dealer and the customer, it is not possible to build up a viable internet shopping system. The cardinal
Principle is that any business system should be consumer friendly.

The market or shopping centres will be generally crowded on a holiday. The shoppers will have to face many problems in their efforts to locate the items they want. The streets also will be very crowded, resulting in parking problems. In such scenario, many people opt for online shopping. According to those who prefer online shopping on a holiday, it is a very convenient and time saving option. Three out of four online shoppers are happy about this system of shopping. Experience is the best teacher, says the old adage. However consumer organisations warn the shoppers against certain hitches in the process of online shopping. They offer the following useful tips:

TIPS / GUIDELINES

1. Before dealing with any seller, get the address and phone number of the dealer concerned as the firs step in confirming their genuineness.

2. Read carefully the particulars given in the websites and confirm whether the product is a genuine one from the manufacturer. Also make sure that the dealer is authorised to market the product.

3. Compare the prices, making use of the online price comparison service.

4. Always make it a point that you make payments only through credit cards.  Cash payments should be avoided.

5. Verify whether the dealer provides you with proper warranty for the products.  Also confirm that they have a reliable refund policy.

6. Retain a copy of the mail order and transaction details.

7. Be alert against hidden charges.

8. Never reveal your credit cards or bank account particulars to anyone.  Generally reputed and recognised dealers will never ask for such details.

SOME DISADVANTAGES
Notwithstanding the positive aspects of online shopping, there are some disadvantages inherent in the system. Many people enjoy the conventional method of shopping with family or friends. The advantage of physical verification of goods you intent to buy and collecting all relevant information about them are some of the positive aspects of the system. The quality of the product cannot be confirmed without actually inspecting it in the shop. Very often the online shoppers are disappointed to see the difference between the item they receive and what was depicted in the net. Above all one should have access to the computer and internet connection to adopt the online shopping system. The online shopping deprive the shoppers their privacy. This is a very valid reason why many people do not want to adopt it.

INCREASING POPULARITY
The online shopping system, despite certain drawbacks, is gaining popularity throughout the world. The benefits outweigh the disadvantages. In the changed pattern of lifestyle, people find it hard to spend more time in moving shop to shop in their search for the goods and services. A convenient way of shopping from their home is preferred than to venture into crowded shops or malls after a tedious working day. This is more relevant when every one loves to enjoy a quite holiday at home with family. Advance planning, early shopping and dealing with a reliable internet dealer are some of the safest options to avoid hardships in this system of online shopping on holidays.

There are a lot of Online shopping service providers that offer shopping services through the internet making shopping easy for you. Additional layer of buyer protection are offered by these sites. Some deliver products within stipulated time, particularly for digital products. Information about the products and the reputation of the seller are gathered in these sites. Market place to compare products with its category usually has a system to rate and review products.

Internet search for information
Make a search through search engine, if a scam reports you about the website or product that you are going to buy. Just add ‘scam’ to your search product or service name, which would fetch the relevant result of the product. Try to spend time on reading reviews about them.

Have Contact with Pre-sale Inquiries
Websites which are doing legitimate business would display their contact information on their websites. A struggling business or fly-by-night operator will not provide website with their contact information. So better make pre-sale inquiries via email or telephone, this will ascertain you their response time and service aptitude.

Several websites provide free sample for 30 day evaluation of their product. Money-back guarantee are offered by some websites, but it may result in problems. In free sample downloads helps you to try out their service without any risk.

Once you select your product to buy, check if it is sold by any 3rd party merchant website, as it have secure payment processing. Buying through 3rd party merchant sites is a safe method to purchase. If this option is not available and the buyer accepts credit card, then few things to be verify.

Making purchases
You can proceed to purchase, if no mistakes or objectionable are found. But few things to keep in mind:

• Make sure all other programmes and browser windows are closed, leaving the one where you make transactions.

• Cookies and temporary files from ”internet option” must be cleared up in the control panel.

• Make sure that automatic updates are turned off, till you complete your transaction.

• Don’t initiate your transaction, if there is a problem in your internet connection.

• Make sure that your transaction is completed without any interruption.

• Remember to give your e-mail address, so it works well with you.

• Transaction numbers or code displayed during and after the transaction must be saved to your favourite folder.

• You can send them a letter stating the status of your order, after your payment.

• It is good to leave feedbacks that you experience with the products you purchased. It will help both new customer and the seller to improve his service.

• Try to avoid scams and phishing websites to prevent headaches relevant to buying online.

Payment through
• Pay for your purchase through shopping cart and service setup by the website for payment.

• The safest way is to pay via credit card.

• Online payment service like Pay-Pal who offer some protections.

• It is a risk task to pay by debit card or electronic funds.

• Don’t send cash directly to the seller for online purchase.

Special protection to credit card programmes is offered by credit card brands and issuing banks to protect your account number when used online. Check out with your issuer if they provide one of these services:
• One-Time Use or Temporary Numbers
• Extra Passwords

Make sure that you check out thoroughly a seller before you purchase, even for well know sites. Here are some tips to help you for safe online purchase:
• Make sure that the websites provide detailed and clear contact information on their websites.

• Through the local Better Business Bureau, check out the reputation of the seller.

• Read the privacy policy of the seller.

• Make sure that your browser shows ”https” address line.

Shopping online on your holiday can be more quick and easy. We came to know that online shoppers shop while drunk which can be unsafe.

There are several benefits for online shopping with your credit card or debit card. Suspecting that your identity is used to make unauthorized transaction, the companies will reimburse you for charges made by an identified thief.

It is good to go with sites that you trust. Is an online store’s website has poor layout, better avoid shopping there. Get complete contact information on it website and read about its return policy to trust them.

• Make sure that the online store you use offer security features like SSL (secure socket layer) to protect you purchase information from thieves.

• Make sure that you print out the record for your online purchases which is given by store for future reference.

• Make sure that your password is secret and unique one. Use an e-mail address that does not spell your whole name. 

For safety online shopping here is a checklist:
• Always it is good to check out seller before you purchase from the online store.

• Make sure the security of the site you try to purchase.

• Read the privacy policy given by the site.

• Make sure the password you choose is unique.

• Prefer to pay by credit card which safe and quickest way to shop online.

• Always keep a record with you provided the store online.