If you prefer to avoid busy shopping centres, queues, noise and stress, online shopping is the answer. You can grab absolute bargains without even leaving the sofa. But it pays to take precautions.
Below are 10 top tips on how to shop safely online.
1) Avoid
clicking on links in emails when you want to visit a shop. Type the website
address manually into the browser’s address bar, so you are sure that you will
not be routed to a fake shop through a phishing link.
2) Look
for the padlock icon in the browser and check that the URL (web address) starts
with HTTPS to make sure the site is safe to visit.
Bear in mind that
the site may switch to HTTPS only when you begin the payment process. Look also
for other logos that indicate the site has a secure payment provider and that
all payment details are encrypted.
3) Look
for the web shop’s contact information. Who runs the store and is it based in
the UK? Is there a phone number, address, email address, etc.?
On many fake
online stores this information is non-existent, and if you cannot find it you
should be wary.
4) Take
some time to compare prices before buying a product. Use nextag.co.uk to ensure
that you’re getting a good price. Just because the site claims to offer 50% off
the RRP doesn’t mean it’s the cheapest around.
5) Save
all receipts, order confirmations and other information in your email inbox or
print them out. The more documentation you have on your purchase, the better
placed you are if something goes wrong, such as the item not arriving, or
arriving damaged.
6) Read
the terms and conditions carefully. How long is the delivery time? Is it easy
to return an item? Is VAT included, and is there an additional cost for
shipping, which makes your purchase more expensive that you had expected?
Some price
comparison sites – particularly Google shopping – don’t check that the total
price includes everything, so you may have to visit several sites to find the
best price.
7) When
you pay via your credit card online, you should consider using an additional
security code, such as verified by Visa or Mastercard SecureCode.
With these
schemes you must enter a special code or certain letters from a password before
the payment can be completed. This helps protect you if criminals steal your
wallet, or your card details are somehow stolen online.
8) Make
sure that you have an up-to-date antivirus and firewall program installed
before you go shopping online.
9) Remember
that you’re protected under the Sale of Goods Act and Distance Selling
Regulations when you buy from UK-based websites.
Foreign web shops
may provide different protection or guarantees. Again, check the conditions
before you pay. Normally, however, you always have the right to get your money
back if you pay with a credit card and there’s a problem with your purchase.
10) Last
but not least: in the final throws of online sales, discounts are often high.
However be
suspicious if a web shop promises 80 percent off expensive brands such as Ralph
Lauren, Nike, Prada etc. If a price seems too good to be true, it’s probably
because it is.
