Shopping Online For The Holidays - Don't Get Ripped Off

We are quickly approaching that time of the year where the Internet pays off in spades - the holidays. Here's a primer on protecting yourself while buying online.

Avoiding the Malls

I hate going to the malls during the holidays. They are packed with people, elbows are flying and I inevitably get in line behind the person who needs a price check or lost their checkbook. Thankfully, the Internet has largely solved this problem.

Millions of people now do most or all of their holiday shopping online. Frankly, it is hard to imagine how many brick and mortar stores stay in business. While shopping from your desk is great, you need to keep in mind the following legal cautions.

Don't Buy Off An Email

In a few weeks, you are going to get bombarded by emails from businesses. Unfortunately, there is no way to be sure the email messages are actually from the business in question. Phishing scam artists have become masters at kicking out email messages that look extremely authentic. If you get an email message and want to visit a site, do not click the link in the email message. Instead, type the site domain name directly into a browser or find it through a search engine. Doing so will get you to the real site, not a fake.

Credit Cards

Most people have multiple credit cards and use them willy nilly. When shopping online, try to limit all of your charges to one credit card that doesn't have a massive credit line on it. Also, print out all receipts. If a scam artist gets a hold of your credit card information, this should limit the damage. When you receive the credit card statement, make sure to check the charges against your receipts. If you find unauthorized charges, report them immediately.

Delivery Times

Sites selling products online have to comply with "prompt delivery" rules. To this end, sites are encouraged, but not required to tell you how long it will take to deliver products. In addition, they absolutely must deliver within 30 days unless stated otherwise on the site. When ordering gifts, make sure you note how long it is going to take to receive the item. If you are going out of town, make sure you keep the departure date in mind before you leave.

The Internet is a godsend when it comes to avoiding the stress of holiday shopping. Just keep an eye on those credit card statements!

Three Key Benefits of Shopping Online

If you happen to be a newbie in making purchases through the internet, discover three key benefits of shopping online. Shopping online is rapidly becoming the main avenue in which most transactions occur. More and more visitors are finding out how fantastic and rewarding it is in acquiring products and services from merchants online. Seasoned online shoppers understand the values of online purchasing and ultimately have made it their way to receive goods. What are the three key benefits? Time, Convenience and Money

Time

Online shopping allows for more time in your life for other activities. Depending on your routine in getting ready to venture to the brick and mortar stores, it could possibly take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 ½ hours. Considering travel time, depending on traffic, may use 30 minutes to 1 hour of your quality moments. Once arrived at the destination, it will take a certain amount of time to look for the item/s. Let us not forget how long it will take to get back to the home or office. You can easily see how 2 to 4 hours will whisk by.

Purchasing online takes only a few minutes. This can allow for more time with loved ones, your business, or for yourself. In today's busy society, it is more important than ever to find ways to save time. Be sure to choose online shopping.

Convenience

When it comes to convenience, nothing comes closer than online shopping. You have access to 24 hours, 7 days a week of acquiring products all at your fingertips. From the comfort of your home, bed, living room, the patio, or by the poolside, you are able to shop at your leisure. Imagine the convenience for a family with young children.

There is no need in getting yourself or the children dressed and ready to go, deal with traffic, and be confronted with pushy or inattentive clerks and hundreds of other shoppers. All of this and the amount of energy expended can have unfavorable consequences to one's temperament.

Money

Probably the most important key benefit that you will find to be quite rewarding is money saved. Many merchants will have great deals and savings sometimes up to 80% on selected items. Merchants may offer other generous savings through coupons, special offers and discounted items. Another wonderful incentive is shipping cost. Some will absorb the shipping cost for free after a certain amount of purchase (each merchant's guidelines will vary). Additionally, you will increase your savings by not using gas for transportation to the brick and mortar store.

It is not surprising that online sales are increasing each year. Shoppers desire all of the benefits that will help make their lives much easier.

Shopping Online? How to Avoid Frauds

Online shopping is booming as more consumers take their business to e-tailers (electronic retailers) instead of the brick and mortar stores. After conducting a survey, the National Retail Federation estimates that approximately 52 million people, or 37% of shoppers, surf the web for the best deals. This number is continually growing as more products become available online and people gain confidence in shopping online.

Though some people are still unsure of giving their credit card numbers in exchange for merchandise over the Web, the Internet is a relatively safe place to shop due to improved technology and e-shopping savvy consumers. Here are a few tips to keep you, your computer and your bank account protected while you shop online.

Don't Give Out Your Personal Information

Legitimate online retailers will never ask for your social security number at any time. Don't give it to retailers—if someone requests it, contact the company.

Arm Your Computer

You can protect yourself as you shop online simply by installing some basic security programs on your computer including anti-spyware, anti-virus and pop-up blocker programs. This software will keep your financial information and passwords safe and out of the site of cyber thieves and hackers.

Use a Credit Card

Credit cards are easy to use online-just enter the credit card name, number and expiration date. There's another important reason to use a credit card, if fraud occurs or you don't get the product that you purchased, you can dispute the charges. However, if you use a money order or debit card, the money is usually gone without dispute.

Read the Fine Print

Whenever you shop online, read the fine print carefully so there are no surprises. Make sure you're aware of shipping charges, delivery time, cancellation and return policies, as well as the seller's privacy policy.

Don't Respond to Unsolicited eMail

Never buy things or confirm your billing information through an unsolicited email, especially if you don't recognize the source. Legitimate online retailers will never ask for your credit card number through an email. If you receive an email of this type, contact the company immediately.

Ensure the Connection is Secure

When you click to purchase an item online, your browser connection should become secure. Look for two signs: the site address should read https or shttp instead of http, indicating a secure connection, and small lock should appear in the browser toolbar.

Research Unknown Retailers

If you're not familiar with the retailer, do some research before entrusting them with your credit card. Make sure they have a phone number and a mailing address. You may want to call them before making a purchase. You can also research the company on TRUSTe, Verisign and BBBOnline (Better Business Bureau).

If it Appears Too Good to be True, it Probably is

Use your intuition. If you come across a retailer that has a product priced substantially lower than other retailers, or offers an online coupon that gives an unbelievable discount, use caution. Website retailers have to make their money somehow. Read their privacy policy, make sure they aren't selling your personal information and take the extra steps to ensure the company and product are valid.

With a few simple precautions, online shopping can save you time, money and keep you, your money and your information 100 percent safe.

References

Magid, L. (2005). Online holiday shopping tips. Retrieved Nov. 28, 2005, from cbsnews.com
Web site: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/27/scitech/pcanswer/main1075819.shtml.

Willis, G. (2005). Get the best online deals. Retrieved Nov. 23, 2005, from CNN.com
Web site: http://money.cnn.com/2005/11/23/pf/saving/willis_tips/.

WRAL, (2005). Shopping online? 8 fraud tips to protect you. Retrieved Nov. 23, 2005, from WRAL.com
Web site: [http://www.wral.com/money/5383731/detail.html].

If You Shop Online, the Perfect Home Business Awaits You

There are a lot of programs out there and the perfect home business awaits you! The majority of Home Businesses on the Internet revolve around Network Marketing. In its essence, Network Marketing is one of the most powerful revenue generating business plans available. It not only creates revenue but it creates residual revenue.

There are many articles on the topic of Network Marketing. The main thing you must know is that a product or service must be sold in order for anyone to make money with this type of business plan. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) ensures this holds true and that the business plan does not revolve around people make money only by recruiting.

Now, let's get back to Online Shopping. Shopping online is hitting all time records. There is nothing hidden in the reports. The media has covered this extensively and you see the evidence everywhere. The traditional "brick and mortar" stores are taking a hit and online sales are soaring.

Why are consumers shopping on line? It saves time. You can comparison shop several retailers within minutes. Online specials run daily. Shipping is quick and cheap. Transactions are secure.

All of these answers help the consumer save time and money.

The perfect home business is waiting. It is a combination of E-Commerce and Network Marketing. It is an online business that is partnering with almost all of the biggest names in retail in one portal.

There are many home businesses and programs on the Internet today. Finding the right home business is very important. If you are reading this article, more than likely you shop online. If you shop online, more than likely you shop with one of our partner retailers.

Are you tired of not getting the results you want in your home business?