| When it comes to shopping on the internet there a | | | | information to any external parties. Always avoid |
| range of factors you have to consider before | | | | other site which doesn't take you to a page which |
| purchasing the product. Keep in mind that you're | | | | will perform" a secured transaction". If you have |
| buying the product without actually physically visiting | | | | doubts about a site, right-click anywhere on the page |
| a store. When you physically visit the store to make | | | | and select "Properties." This will let you see the real |
| your purchase you evaluate the product according to | | | | URL (Web site address) and the dialog box will reveal |
| criteria. This criterion may involve product quality, | | | | if the site is "not encrypted." |
| utility and of course the price you pay in relation to | | | | Records :- A confirmation email will be sent to you |
| these very important factors. After all you buy a | | | | that confirm your order. Print these out and keep |
| product to perform a certain task (which is the basic | | | | them safely for your own records and convenience. |
| utility of the product) and you pay its price more or | | | | Check your credit card and bank statements :- make |
| less in relation to the quality of the product. In other | | | | sure to check these for your own safety. If there |
| words, how efficiently that product can perform the | | | | are any unauthorised payments contact your Credit |
| task on hand. When doing your shopping online it's | | | | Card Company or relevant bank and inform them |
| important that you follow these same guidelines. | | | | immediately. |
| Remember through the internet you can virtually do | | | | Check the online store's policies :- this will provide |
| your shopping the world over. You can just about | | | | disclosures about the store's refund and return |
| order anything from anywhere irrespective of your | | | | policies, and about the web site's security itself and |
| location. You also have the great advantage of doing | | | | how it uses your personal information. Make sure to |
| your shopping anytime you want and at the comfort | | | | take a few minutes to read them. Read the site's |
| of your own home. No hassle of travelling to various | | | | privacy policy to understand what personal |
| stores or rushing through your list and thinking about | | | | information is being requested and how it will be used. |
| what you have to cook for your next meal or that | | | | If there isn't one posted, consider that a warning |
| all-important presentation at office the next day. | | | | that your personal information may be sold to others |
| However, as when doing your shopping in the | | | | without your permission. |
| traditional physical store it's important that you follow | | | | Comparing Prices |
| the basic guidelines of shopping. Perhaps more so | | | | You can compare prices too when shopping online as |
| since you don't actually physically visit the store and | | | | when you do "conventional shopping". You can do |
| have to rely on your own good judgement. As such | | | | this by visiting web sites like: |
| we are here to help you with safe shopping on the | | | | Price Runner |
| internet. | | | | Shopzilla |
| Terms :- Always make sure about the terms of the | | | | Do you trust the merchant? You can check the |
| transaction. Legal terms and any disclaimers governing | | | | merchant's reputation from whom you're hoping to |
| the transaction. You may think these maybe lengthy | | | | make your purchase by looking at their feedback by |
| and want to get over and done with your | | | | conducting web searches. You can check with the |
| transaction. But it is important that you know the | | | | Better Business Bureau ( for a report about the |
| terms of the transaction you're about to perform. | | | | merchant's marketplace record. |
| Use a Secure Web Browser :- Online vendors | | | | And finally trust you instincts or your "gut" feelings |
| "encrypt" purchase information which means only the | | | | about the web site or transaction you're about to |
| vendor and yourself can read it. Always order from | | | | perform. If you feel it's too good to be true it |
| online stores that offer secured transactions. These | | | | probably is. Better be safe than sorry afterwards. |
| are the "trustworthy" sites. They keep your | | | | Happy shopping! |
| information secure and doesn't re- distribute your | | | | |