While you may not know it yet, you are about to become a very smart shopper. You are going to be able to save a ton of money while shopping conveniently online. What do you have to do first? Read this article in full to absorb it’s amazing expert tips and tricks.
Never give out your Social Security number to an online merchant. This number is not required for placing orders online. Giving an online store your Social Security number can help them use your personal and private information to steal your identity. To prevent that, if you go on an online store site and see that as a requirement, do not buy anything from them and shop somewhere else.
Although it may seem tedious, make sure you read the contract and terms before you purchase at a website. These documents have valuable information on what you can and cannot do when you have an issue with the item that you bought. Read them thoroughly so that you do not have an unwelcome surprise when trying to return items.
Keep an eye on your bank and credit card accounts. If you are shopping online, don’t wait for the end of the month to review your finances. Check your account online periodically to make sure that there are no extra charges. If you notice anything amiss, get in contact with your bank or credit card company as soon as possible.
When you are shopping online, use reviews and ratings to your advantage and make smart purchases. If you are buying a rug and 10 out of 11 reviewers say the item was not the correct color, you probably want to look somewhere else for the item. Also check to verify that a customer had to purchase the item in order to make the review.
When you buy a product from an online retailer, be sure that you check the merchant’s return policy. Some retailers charge a restocking fee for returned merchandise. This would not be a good deal for you if you tend to change your mind about purchases after you buy them.
Look for websites that feature live agents or instant chat to help if you have a lot of question. These live options can usually help you get questions and issues answered and solved much faster than email and phone calls. You can also use this communication option to request free shipping or discounts. Some retailers are happy to do this if you order on the same day.
One way to save money is through points programs. For example, Swagbucks.com and MyPoints.com offer members the ability to earn points with their purchases. They also offer coupons for certain brands. When you redeem your points, you can get merchandise or gift cards, saving you even more money down the road.
One of the best ways to save money is by only shopping at online retailers you can trust. That ensures you don’t get ripped off with a defective item you have to ship back at your own cost, or not getting the item at all and losing the money you paid.
Encourage your teenagers to do some of their own shopping online. If you give your kids a prepaid credit card, they can buy some of their own school clothes on the Internet. You can keep track of where they’re spending their money with the prepaid card’s history functions, and they don’t have you hanging around while they pick things out.
If you want to buy something online, but really want to touch and feel the actual product first, see if you can find this product at your mall or local retailer. Go to the store and look at the merchandise in person, then buy it online if the online price is lower.
Never provide your social security number when you are shopping online. Any site which asks for this is shady. Online purchasing does not typically involve divulging your SSN. By providing this number, you could become a victim of identity theft.
The most important thing to do before you shop on a new website is to check the return policy. If you buy something that doesn’t fit, comes broken or just doesn’t fit your needs, you need to be able to return it. If the store has brick and mortar locations, find out if you can make the return there.
If you are making purchases through sites like eBay or Amazon Marketplace, make sure that the seller has a high rating of good customer service. If a seller has a high percentage of complaints, that raises the odds of you not being satisfied with your order. Dealing with sellers with a good reputation will minimize your risk.
If a site looks odd, it’s best not to buy products from it. Don’t trust anyone if you’re not sure about their business. If there are spelling mistakes or if things don’t seem right, exit the site. There is nothing worse than making a purchase and realizing you’ve been scammed, so use your best judgment and avoid sites that don’t seem professional.
Look at an online shopping merchant’s privacy policy. This privacy policy will tell you what information they are allowed to share with others and what information will be kept strictly private. This is especially important to keep down on junk mail both online and offline. By reading the website’s terms of service, you can know exactly what information will be shared.
Shopping with debits cards online isn’t as safe as credit cards. Credit cards offer you the ability to reject charges, plus they have many safeguards in place which monitor your spending and alert you when something fishy seems to be going on. Debit rarely offers these security measures, so go with credit instead.
Now you’ve done your job for today! You have read this article and all of its fine tips and you are ready to use them. You are primed with the knowledge which will help you keep more money in your wallet, yet you will still buy what you need. Get shopping today!
