Thursday, January 27, 2005

Online Shopping: 10 Tips For Safe Online Shopping

Online Shopping: 10 Tips To Help You do Online Shopping Safely

Have you ever bought a product or service from the internet?

Yes? Me too. You’re not alone…

Some of the reasons why most people are shopping online are: they can buy anything at anytime because Internet shopping is available 24 hours, all the time.

You can shop from the convenience of your home. You can avoid traffic and crowding at the malls.

Online shopping is one of the best ways to locate hard-to-find items not available in your local stores.

Whatever you buy can be delivered by mail to your house.

Most online stores and companies provide excellent values and discount prices because they do not have to pay the overhead of owning a physical business that will cost them insurance, employee pay, taxes and more.

VeriSign, Inc. says that online sales recorded during the prime holidays shopping season was about $2.2 billion dollars.

According to a study by Forrester Research Company, by 2010, online sales will reach $331 billion dollars.

More consumers are shopping online today than a year ago. The range of products they buy are many: software, hardware, electronics, digital products, music, toys, e-books, books, programs, DVD, flowers, pets, jewelry, clothes, plane tickets, insurance, cars, prescription drugs, comic books, games, gifts and more.

They are flocking to buy from online bookstores, software stores, online computer stores, target stores, pet stores, liquor stores, drug stores, music stores, furniture stores, fabric stores, the Disney store, outlet stores, surplus stores, discount stores, thrift stores, gift stores, candy stores, lingerie stores, sports stores, video stores, sex stores, department stores, game stores, clothing stores and others.

Be a smart and savvy online shopper. Shop wisely and safely.

Here are a few tips to help you do your online shopping safely.

(1) Shop at the websites of companies that you know and are popular offline.

If you’re not sure of the company, request their catalog or brochure first.

Be sure they have a physical address and phone, as well as an e-mail address. Call them and speak to a human being first.

Check with the yellow pages and the Better Business Bureaus to be sure the company is legitimate.

Read all the fine print and the refund policy before you place an order.

You may read about product reviews and what other shoppers have to say about a company at:
http://www.epinions.com/, http://www.consumersearch.com/ , http://www.productopia.com/, http://www.deja.com/

Here are some internet shopping agents’ sites:
http://www.comparenet.com/ , http://vo.infospace.com/ , http://bottomdollar.com/

To read about reviews on shopping stores, regarding ease of use, pricing, selection and service go to:
http://www.gomez.com/, http://www.bizrate.com/ , http://www.ratingwonders.com/

To read about web business frauds and get help to avoid being a victim, go to:
http://www.fraud.org/ , http://www.bbbonline.org/ , http://www.webassured.com/

For a list of popular online shopping stores see the bottom of this report.

(2) Keep a record of all your purchases.

Most people are by nature disorganized and unable to keep records. Learn to keep records of all your online purchases. This will help you keep track of your spending and shopping.

Print all receipts or save them on your computer in a folder named “receipts”.

This will help you locate orders that you placed but were never delivered.

The more organized you are the less negative online shopping experience you’ll have.

(3) Keep all your important personal information safe.

Don’t give them to strangers who may call you over the phone or request them by e-mail.

Personal information includes: your address, e-mail address, phone number, social security number, drivers license, age, information about your family.

Don’t give them to any stranger and, also, teach your children not to do so.

(4) Keep your passwords private.

When creating a password, avoid using phone numbers, birth dates or social security numbers.

Be creative. Use a password that is not easy for others to guess, and yet not easy for you to forget.

Change your passwords often. Use phrases to help you remember them.

Don’t disclose passwords to anyone.

(5) Use a credit (but never debit) card to make your payment.

Be sure to keep all credit card payment receipts. Check your credit card account statements to be able to spot any unauthorized charges.

When you buy certain goods and services from some companies, sometimes they will keep billing you thereafter. So scrutinize your statements. If you see a charge you’re not sure of, call the billing merchant and check it out.

Keep your credit cards secure.

Avoid making a payment using your credit card on a public computer.

Report any lost credit cards immediately and have them cancelled. Don’t give anyone that you don’t know your credit card number.


(6) Read the return policy before placing an order.

Be sure that you read and understand the return policy and warranty.

(7) Read and understand the company’s privacy statement (or policy).

A privacy statement tells you how and why a business is collecting your information, and how that information may be used.

You may find the company’s privacy statement (or policy) at the very bottom of the home page or inside their "Terms & Conditions" or "Terms of Service" (TOS).

(8) Use a secure browser and server.

Be sure whatever browser you’re using complies with the industry’s security standards, such as secure sockets layer (SSL). This security protocol scrambles or encrypts the personal information you send over the Internet to ensure your transaction is secured.

How do you know if the server is secure where you’re making a payment?

If a Web site is using secure technology, its Web address begins with https and a tiny locked padlock appears at the bottom right corner of the screen.

(9) Check out a few stores and compare prices before buying.

Look for hidden costs such as shipping and handling.

(10) Use Yahoo Search Engine for all your searches.

Yahoo continues to be, not only the largest online company, but also, the best Search Engine.

Unlike the other popular Search engine, which keeps companies in a sandbox for many months and refuses to give them rankings for many months, Yahoo is pro business and gives immediate rankings to companies and business.

Their search result is also excellent. That may be one reason why 60% of the people online (including me) love Yahoo.

Also, they have the most reliable and the best hosting service in the world.

For these reasons, I strongly recommend that you use Yahoo Search to do all your searches.

Happy and safe online shopping.

Warmly,

I-key Benney , CEO

_____________________________________________________________

I-key, a Millionaire CEO from New York City is the creator of "Mscsrrr: Millionaire Secret Cash System", (internet income opportunity) which has helped thousands of ordinary people from all over the world to attain financial security and shining success during the past 2 yrs.


Discover the most powerful money making programs at Maychic's website : http://www.maychic.com


And also shop safely & smart at Maychic's Amazon.com Store:
http://www.maychic.com/amazonstore


For Rapid Wealth, Success, Love & Happiness, Download Free "TMT Power Secrets" Book-1 at:
http://www.tmtworldwide.org

_____________________________________________________________


Below is a list of 50 most popular online Shopping stores

(1) Clickbank Storefront: http://www.cbmall.com/?storefront=maychicorp

Get 10,000 e-books, programs and services to solve any problem you may have and help you succeed.

(2) Amazon.com
The leading online retailer of books, music and other products and services over the Web.

(3) Overstock.com
Discover what the "Big O" is all about. Purchase name brand products discounted up to 70% off retail.

(4) BestBuy.com
Shop at the top name-brand electronics store in the nation: Best Buy! Choose from the largest selection of CD's, DVD's, computers, cell phones, electronics and accessories.

(5) Buy.com
The premier place to buy top brands at low discount prices. Great low priced selection of computers, software, electronics, cell phones, books, games, music, videos, golf equipment, sporting goods & travel.

(6) JCPenney.com
Your favorite shopping destination at your local mall is now online! Choose from a great selection at JCPenney.com.

(7) Staples.com
Staples.com offers over 45,000 office products and over 65 business services to meet your small business needs.

(8) Gap.com
One of the most popular clothing stores in America is now online. Enjoy at home shopping at Gap.com with secure shopping and a great online return policy.

(9) Dell Home
Dell offers custom configurations of personal computers, portables and servers. Build your own PC & get the best value with the latest technology.

(10) Target.com
Shop at your favorite local store online for home wares, clothes, kitchen goods, electronics and so much more!

(11) OldNavy.com
Old Navy offers really affordable casual clothing and accessories for adults, kids, and baby. Our merchandise includes jeans, khakis, logo T-shirts, sweats, sleepwear, boxers, and personal care items.

(12) Office Depot
Office Depot is the world's largest seller of office products and office supplies to both large and small businesses.

(13) Sears.com
Craftsman tools, appliances, clothing, home and garden -these are just some of the items you can find at the store, you know and love; Sears.

(14) QVC.com
QVC's web site offers a variety of top-quality brands in categories such as beauty, books, movies & music, collectibles, cooking & dining, electronics, fashion, health & fitness, hobbies & toys, house & home, jewelry, sports, clearance, and gifts.

(15) HSN
The Home Shopping Network is now online! Shop for a variety of goods such as health and beauty items, apparel, electronics, home items and cooking ware.

(16) OfficeMax.com
Find all your office supply needs from paper and business electronics to furniture, all backed by the OfficeMax low price guarantee.

(17) Kohls.com
Kohls.com is stocked with everything you need for yourself and your home - apparel, shoes & accessories for women, children and men, plus home products like small electrics, bedding, luggage and more.

(18) Sharper Image
The Sharper Image web catalog. A unique assortment of original gifts and products with an extraordinary level of customer satisfaction.

(19) Drugstore.com
Drugstore.com offers products for beauty, health, wellness, personal care, and is also an online pharmacy.

(20) Circuit City
Circuit City is a leading national retailer of brand-name consumer electronics, personal computers, movies, music, and games.

(21) Zappos.com
Zappos.com is the web's most popular shoe store! Zappos features dress, casual and athletic shoes for men, women, and kids at fantastic prices!

(22) Lands' End
Lands' End is one of the most popular apparel companies in the USA today with a wide selection of men's, women's and kid's clothing plus home decor.

(23) Yankee Candle
Yankee Candle Company has been producing scented candles since 1969. With decades of proven experience and over 250 stores nationwide, Yankee Candle has earned a reputation as experts at their craft.

(24) DisneyDirect.com
Pick up all your Disney items online! Disney clothes, toys, videos, posters, pictures, and much more!

(25) Lillian Vernon
Shop Lillian Vernon for great gifts, toys & kids decor, holiday decorations, household & gardening items and more.

(26) The Vitamin Shoppe
The Vitamin Shoppe is one of the nation's leading discount retailers of quality vitamins and nutritional supplements.

(27) SmartBargains.com
Great brands, products & services at HUGE savings! Up to 80% off, satisfaction guaranteed! Looking for liquidation, surplus, factory serviced, refurbished, even NEW items at near wholesale prices? Look no further!

(28) ShopNBC.com
Shop from a name you trust -- ShopNBC.com. Find top-quality gold, silver, gemstone, and costume jewelry up to 60% off retail value. Plus, get name brand watches, computers & electronics, and home & garden items that are affordable to priceless.

(29) eBags.com
eBags USA - Your online source for bags, luggage, backpacks, handbags, business cases and more.

(30) Bluefly.com
High fashion at low prices! The top brands that you would find at your favorite upscale department store are all here.

(31) Spiegel.com
Spiegel offers online shopping for: men's and women's clothing and shoes, fine jewelry, watches, accessories, home accents, bedding, bath, furniture, electronics, fitness equipment, toys, and great gift ideas.

(32) Eddie Bauer
Inspired by the Northwest since 1920, Eddie Bauer is your source for casual, comfortable apparel and gear.

(33) Macys.com
Top brands and gifts for all occasions. Products to fit every lifestyle - for her, him, home and baby

(34) 1800Flowers.com
Flowers, unique gifts, gourmet foods, plants and gardening items presented by 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, a leading online provider of fresh-cut flowers, bouquets, and specialty gifts.

(35) REI.com
REI for camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, paddling, skiing gear, fitness gear, fishing gear and clothing! Product information, how-to, sale items and more.

(36) Finish Line
For the best in athletic footwear, apparel and accessories check out Finishline.com.

(37) Newport News
The hottest styles and trends in women's wear including petite and tall sizes.

(38) Gateway.com
Gateway is one of the most trusted brand names in the PC industry. Gateway has a host of products that are customized for consumers, business, education and government markets.

(40) Barnes and Noble
The world's largest bookseller online. You can find even more than books though as they carry music, DVDs and so much more.

(41) Chadwicks.com
Chadwick's is the smart destination for women's fashion. Easy shopping, incredible values: Compare anywhere, you always get more at Chadwick's.

(42) Avon.com
Shop online at AVON, the world's leading direct seller of beauty and related products.

(43) Kmart.com
Kmart.com online shopping site which features hundreds of thousands of products across multiple categories including Martha Stewart Everyday, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon, Route 66 and other nationally recognized brands.

(44) Ashford.com
Quality luxury products from over 300 world class brands. Ashford.com is the premier Internet luxury store that carries watches, fine jewelry, sunglasses, men’s apparel, and much more.

(45) Tweeter.com
Tweeter offers the highest quality audio equipment for customers who are looking for the highest quality components. Tweeter carries home audio, home video and digital cameras/camcorders.

(46) Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post offers savings of 35-70% on name brand casual, dress and outdoor clothing and gear.

(47) 1800Contacts.com
The world's largest contact lens store with over 9 million contacts in stock all at great prices.

(48) Delias.com
The latest in clothing and fashion for teens and girls. Find fashionable girl brands of pants, dresses, skirts, shirts, tops, footwear, sandals, accessories, makeup, and room contents and decorations.

(49) Petco.com
Petco.com - Where the pets go online!

(50) Radio Shack
Radio Shack is the nation's most trusted consumer electronics specialty retailer of wireless communications, electronic parts, batteries and accessories as well as other digital technology products and services.

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