How to go about shopping online
Most high-street names now have a presence online. These shops and other well-known internet shopping sites are a good place to start. It's best to get used to buying online from a brand you already know and trust.
In this article - Finding your favourite shop couldn't be easier Before you buy Ten tips before you buy
Finding your favourite shop couldn't be easier
Simply search for it under its own name, adding 'www' at the start and either '.com' or '.co.uk' at the end. It's worth trying both: boots.com for example isn't 'Boots the chemist'. If this doesn't work, most search engines and internet shopping directories should be able to help. They'll also be the place to go if you're looking for a particular item. Most online shops work on the 'shopping basket' principle. You tour the site and click when you see something you want. The item gets placed into a virtual shopping basket. When you want to pay for the items in the basket, you'll be asked to register.
You'll then be taken to a secure part of the site to give details of your credit or debit card. You're usually able to send a cheque instead, but this can mean a wait of a week or two, because the company will often want to clear the cheque before sending you the goods.
Before you buy - If you don't know the shop, check that it has a phone number and ring to find out its address so you can contact the company if necessary. Look for ones that are part of an independent approval scheme such as TrustUK. These are companies that have signed up to particular standards.
Check the shop's policy on security and privacy. Good companies are likely to have privacy statements on their websites.
Be sure you know what's being sold, the total price, the delivery date, the return and cancellation policy, and the terms of any guarantee.
Ten tips before you buy - Pay by credit card because this may give you some additional protection. Only use debit cards when you're dealing with shops you know you can trust. When giving out these details, always ensure you're using a secure site.
Do some real-world research as well as internet research to compare prices. Internet prices may not always be the cheapest.
Print out your order and keep any terms and conditions in a safe place along with the company's postal address and telephone number.
Don't let your common sense and shopping skills desert you when shopping online. The same principles apply. Buy at your own speed, and get recommendations about sites from friends.
Check the company's policy on returning goods. If you've bought the item from a site abroad, you may find returning it costly.
Look out for loyalty schemes and email alerts where shops will contact you with bargains or new deals.
Be careful about spending too long surfing for a bargain - it can be addictive and costly.
Avoid early evening and lunchtime congestion when America wakes up and logs on the internet.
Keep any site you like in your 'favourites' so you can return to it quickly.
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