safe shopping online

This article originally appeared in the Downtown Lodi newsletter, December 2006.

The rush of the holiday season is approaching. And if you’re like me, it means avoiding long lines and parking lots by shopping online. This year, an expected 70% of consumers will buy a gift online, a trend growing steadily every year. How can you make the right decisions when buying online? Read on.

Keep it Secure

Security is of utmost importance when shopping online, especially during the holiday season. Always make sure that you see the “padlock” icon at the very bottom of your browser window. With the new Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft adds an additional layer of defense by warning you if you are looking at a dangerous website.

You should also never use another person’s wireless network to shop. Since you’re on their network, they can monitor everything you do if they had the right tools in place. That includes your passwords, card numbers, and more. Surf at home or at your place of work (during your lunch break, of course).

Email Privacy

Many online retailers will ask for your email address so they can send you an order confirmation. Check their privacy policy, because you might also be permitting them and their “associates” to send you junk mail for the rest of your life. If you’re only saving a buck or two, the deluge of junk mail might not be worth it.

Single-Use Card Numbers

A number of credit card companies now allow you request a “single-use card number”. After you make your purchase with this one-shot card, you won’t have to worry about someone stealing your card number since it only works once. Visit your bank’s website or call their customer service for more information about this must-have technique.

Find the Best Price

Online merchants can vary greatly in price, so spend some time looking for a bargain. Froogle.Com is a great site for sniffing out deals automatically. But just like “real life”, be careful of a deal that is too good to be true.

Where to Ship To?

Plan ahead when you get that expensive gift shipped to you or your friend’s home. Most retailers won’t require a signature upon delivery, leaving the package on the doorstep for anyone who happens to notice it before you get home. Consider shipping to your business instead.

Print Your Order

Always keep a printed copy of your orders in case you need to call the retailer for assistance, returns, or to find out where your package is. You can print a web page order confirmation through the File | Print menu.

(continued on right...)

  quick jump

Jump to other stories through these links:

  ...continued

Check Those Shipping Charges

A lot of online merchants and auction sellers will offer a great deal on a product only to make it up with excessive shipping and handling charges. Be sure to check the fine print of your purchase or bid, and if you don’t see it specified, then ask.

Reviews

One of the web’s greatest strengths is the collective input from millions of shoppers just like you. Merchants like Amazon.Com allow reviews of products so that shoppers can make informed decisions based on what others have to say. Take advantage of this free resource.

Buy Early

Despite the speed of the internet, you’ll still want to get your online shopping done early. Any savings you would have yielded from an online deal will be negated if you have to pay for Next Day Air Shipping, and remember that shipping will take a few extra days during the busy rush. Returns are another reason to shop early. Since you won’t see your gift until it arrives, plan some time to exchange it just in case it’s not as great as it looked online.

Happy Shopping!

As an online shopper since 1996, I’ve always had pleasant experiences spending my money over the ‘net. A healthy mix of “shoppers’ intuition” and internet savvy will make sure that your experience goes just as well. And one last note: don’t forget those “real life” stores when you’re shopping. While the big online shops are great for things you can buy anywhere, the best gifts are those hard-to-find treasures that you stumbled upon while walking around Downtown.

  happy holidays!

Best wishes to you, your employees, and your families.  Have a safe, fun, and error-free holiday season.

-David Diskin