| 10 Ways to Shop Smart Online |  |
| 1 | An Encryption Prescription Before you submit any private information, be sure that the data will be encrypted and transmitted over a secure connection. Both your browser and the shopping site's server should support industry standards such as Secure Electronic Transaction (SET) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Check your browser's padlock icon, found in the lower right corner of most browsers. The lock should be in the closed position when the connection is secure. |
| 2 | Privacy, Please Look for seals of approval from the Better Business Bureau and TRUSTe on the sites where you shop. They will ensure the company is legitimate and that your personal information will be protected when you shop there. Also, many companies post their privacy policies online - look for them. These policies should disclose what information is being collected on the site and how that information is being used. If given the choice, opt out of having your personal information used for marketing purposes. |
| 3 | Protect
those Passwords Never create passwords based on personal information such as your birth date, address, or Social Security number. Instead use a unique combination of at least five letters, number, or symbols. |
| 4 | Always Check References Trust but verify! If you have doubts about the virtue of a seller, visit an advocacy site like ResellerRatings.com first. This huge directory of customer reviews of hundreds of online vendors will clue you in on prior customers' opinions. Each store has a customer-satisfaction rating based on feedback in areas including shipping and return policies, pricing, tech support, and likelihood of future purchases. Have a positive (or regrettable) shopping experience? Share your fortune (or misfortune) by posting your own review. |
| 5 | Give
them some Credit A no-brainer that bears repeating: Always pay with a credit card, so you and your purchases are protected. You may be able to dispute a seller's charges if the goods you buy online don't arrive or if you aren't satisfied with your purchase. If you have an unauthorized charge on your credit card, under federal law your liability is limited to $50. In fact, under certain circumstances, some credit-card companies will even pay this amount for you. In addition, some credit cards grant extended warranties or other advantages for purchases made with the card. |
| 6 | The
Devil is in the Details Triple-check orders before you finalize them on a checkout page. (A "22" instead of a "2" in the quantity box can be tragic if you don't catch it in time.) And always keep a record of everything you buy online. Be sure to print a copy or take a screen capture of your final order screen for your records. Watch out for sites that neglect to send you an e-mail confirmation of purchase. They may ship a higher-cost item, and unless you have a receipt, there's no proof the etailer sent the wrong product. |
| 7 | Make
Shopping less Taxing One of the benefits of buying online is the possibility of avoiding sales tax. Oftentimes, if you live in a different state from the seller you're purchasing from, you won't be charged tax on items you buy online. In some instances, it might not seem like a huge deal, but saving sales tax on a big-ticket item can make a substantial difference. (Note, however, that you may still be responsible for paying tax on Web purchases to your state of residence-even if the seller you buy from doesn't collect sales tax. Laws vary by state, so check with a tax professional to be sure you don't owe.) |
| 8 | Ensure Speedy Delivery Know that the Federal Trade Commission's Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule extends to online orders. This means that unless the company states otherwise, your merchandise must be delivered within 30 days. If there are delays, the seller must notify you. |
| 9 | Avoid Unhappy Returns Many online retailers charge a restocking fee (usually around 15 percent of the purchase price) for the return of non-defective items. Be sure about your choice, and don't forget to check the return policy before you buy. Be wary of online vendors that don't post contact details or return policies on their sites. If you can't find a phone number or e-mail address, don't shop there. Reputable sellers will always tell you how to get in touch with them and how to return a product. |
| 10 | Make
the Deals come to You Sign up for Chef2Chef Publications. Many resellers also publish periodic newsletters. Sign up, and you can sit back and get the latest deals sent straight to your in-box. |
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In Case of Problems If you do experience a problem with an online purchase, notify the company immediately. Check the site for a toll-free phone number, an email address, or links to customer service. If the company itself does not resolve the problem, contact the Better Business Bureau ( www.bbonline.org ), the Federal Trade Commission ( www.ftc.org/ftc/complaint.htm ), or your state attorney general's office ( www.naag.org ) to lodge a formal complaint. |