Skip to: What is online shopping? Buying something over the internet. It can be easier than going to stores because you don’t have to travel and go to a crowded store. choose items on your computer while at home. just give your name and credit card information. click a button and wait for delivery. Shipping is free sometimes. It can be a cheaper way to send gifts to loved ones back home. Other reasons for trying online shopping: More savings Some business owners do not spend on running a store. This makes their goods cheaper. Online stores offer discounts. Unique items Many items online are not offered at regular stores. Wider selection of goods Some websites sell anything from clothes to cars. Others offer second-hand goods and brand new ones. Others have a greater choice of brands, even handmade crafts. Easy to compare prices You don’t have to drive from store to store to compare. You can check online. Some online stores do it for you. Returns are easy if you buy from one with a physical store big e-retailers have physical stores if you get the wrong size, color or model, you can return them easily Check return policies before buying. Don’t trust online shopping? Many don’t trust online shopping because:
there are many fake websites. some are phishing sites. They steal personal information. there are many stories about people scammed by fake websites. Tips for safe online shopping: Use only safe websites Go straight to trusted stores instead of searching online. Examples are popular companies like Amazon, Etsy, eBay. Order from well-known retailers like Costco, Best Buy, Home Depot. Trusted websites have contact details on the page. They will have email or phone numbers for customer feedback. Don’t buy from 8 online stores: 8 online retailers you should never order from by Alessandra Dubin. Never click a link from a spam email. Never buy anything from a site in a spam email. Signs of a safe URL The web address should start with “https” (not http). There should be a symbol of a locked padlock on the address bar. Beware of wrong spelling or a different domain, for example .net instead of .com. Don’t go to websites that have grammatical errors, wrong spelling and too many ads. Do not provide personal information Beware of a site that asks for your SIN or birth date. Sign-up for Paypal . Paypal will let you pay using your credit card without sharing your financial information. Have a secure password Create passwords combining letters, numbers and symbols. Make different passwords for different sites. Watch the video from Google below for tips. VIDEO
Don’t use public computers Don’t use computers in the library or at a café for online shopping. Someone sitting behind you may see your screen when you type information. Don’t forget to log-out. Another person may use your account or steal information. Check the currency Check the item’s price. See if it is in the currency you prefer. Sites like Amazon and e-Bay usually post prices in US$. Your bank can charge you an additional fee for currency conversion. Double check your total bill on the check-out page before you click “order”. There might be taxes or other fees you did not see. Always check your statements Read your credit card statements. Check your account regularly. Check each transaction. If you see something you did not buy, call the bank immediately. Understand terms of use Read and understand the website’s rules and regulations before buying. Know the rules on delivery/shipping, returns, discounts, and other details. Know the number to call for questions or complaints. Use a good data security software Security software can protect you from spyware, viruses, and other threats. It can keep your credit card information safe. Back to top
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