Surf the Web: Shopping Online

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E-commerce has become a fact of modern life, with millions of people now shopping regularly from the convenience of their computers. Many retailers, from Armani to Z Gallery, have websites where you can purchase products online, including flowers, pet food, and tonight's dinner. Why this explosion? Shopping online saves time and money. As Internet security has improved, consumers are more willing to give out their credit card numbers. Let's say you're looking for a bestselling novel. You can comparison shop to find the best price, order the book, and have it shipped overnight. The whole transaction can be done in minutes, saving a trip to the store. Better yet, you may receive a substantial discount off the cover price and pay no sales tax. How to Buy Online While every site differs a bit, you will find many similarities. Most sites are like electronic catalogs. You browse for merchandise in various categories or search for specific items. Once you find something you want to buy, you add it to your electronic shopping cart and continue on. When you're done, you review the contents of your cart, deciding whether you want to purchase everything, or just a select few. Your purchases are then totaled. Now it's time to check out. To buy the items you selected, you fill out a form, providing information such as your name, e-mail address, shipping information, and credit card number. Usually, you are advised how long it will take for delivery. Some sites e-mail an order confirmation along with a tracking number. Within this general procedure, there are myriad variations. Some sites, like computer stores, build computers to your specifications. At certain apparel sites, you "try on" clothes using a virtual model. Many sites have customer service representatives who you can contact by e-mail or chat with in real time should you need assistance. Since customer service has become as vital to online shopping as it is in the real world, expect to see great emphasis on making e-commerce a friendly experience. There are too many shopping sites to begin to list them here. If you are looking for a particular store, brand, or type of product, use a search engine to find the right site. Avoid Scams Shop with businesses you already know and trust. Pay by credit card for the same protection you have when shopping in the real world. Never send your credit card number by e-mail. Be skeptical of deals that appear too good to be true. They probably are. Check the shipping costs, which could make the total purchase price more than what you would pay in a retail store. Print a copy of your order for your records. Finally, In the event of problems with online merchants, contact your local Better Business Bureau. For those in the U.S., the National Fraud Information Center and the Federal Trade Commission may be able to help. Using a credit card when shopping online is essential to guarantee purchase protection. Also, make sure to use a credit card from a reputable card issuer that you know you can trust. So whether it's a 0 interest card or just a cash back credit card to get those shopping rebates, do your research and choose carefully. Last update: Dec 5, 2007 Related Article: Tips for Smart and Safe Shopping Explore More: Search the Web Learn the Net (www.learnthenet.com) is Copyright 1996-2009. Michael Lerner Productions. All Rights Reserved.