Are you tired of driving to the mall and trying to fight the crowds, just to get the things you want and need? Online shopping has become a huge industry these days, and it's much safer than ever. You can shop for almost anything online, as long as you know where to look. See Step 1 below to learn how to find what you want and buy it with confidence and security.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Perfect Product
Step 1. Do a site search for the item you want
One of the most effective ways to quickly find sites that sell the product you want is to search for it through a search engine like Google, Yahoo!, or Bing. If the product is popular, you'll get multiple pages of results with links to the stores that sell it. You can use the results of this search as a starting point for comparing prices.
Step 2. Search for your product on Amazon
In addition to selling its own products, Amazon also acts as an intermediary between you and many third-party sellers. Companies and individuals all use Amazon as a way of displaying their wares, as well as using Amazon's payment system. This means Amazon and its third-party sellers have one of the largest warehouses on the planet.
Amazon allows sellers to market used goods, so pay attention to what you're buying if you need a new one
Step 3. Visit auction sites
For more difficult-to-find items, search online auction sites. This may be more of a hassle than buying directly from a store, but you may be able to find great deals and rare items if you take the time. See this guide to learn tips on auction sites.
Auction sites have more rules and regulations than traditional shops, and require a fair amount of input from you, the buyer. Make sure you understand all the rules and regulations before you start bidding
Step 4. Visit specific market websites
In addition to big-name shops and auction sites, there are also various types of markets that cater to specific needs. You may be able to get a much better deal than what you need, or party-buying options that may not be available at major stores.
- Don't forget to check the manufacturer's site as well. You may be able to save money by buying directly from the manufacturer rather than a retailer. However, not all manufacturers have their own online stores.
- There are a variety of sites that will collect prices from various online stores and can compare them.
Step 5. Search for different aggregation bid sites
Many forums and sites are available to find the best deals on certain items. These sites are usually designed for a specific market, such as deals on electronics, books, and more. If you are not looking for a specific item but want to stay up-to-date on the latest offers on products that interest you, you can use the services of these sites.
Step 6. Trust your instincts
If you start to feel pressured to agree to an offer that may seem too good, trust your instincts and avoid buying the item. There are lots of people who offer get-rich-quick schemes and "life-changing" products, but all of this should be treated with great skepticism.
Always read reviews about the seller and the product before you buy anything
Part 2 of 3: Buying Smart
Step 1. Pay attention to the shipping costs
Even if an offer for an item is amazing, the price may spike if you have to pay high shipping costs. If the shipping costs are excessive, ask yourself if the delivery costs will make sense compared to the cost of going to buy the item offline.
- Compare the costs of the different shipping methods. If you don't need it right away, you can save a lot of money by choosing a slower shipping method.
- Be very careful when checking shipping costs from auction sites. This fee is determined by the seller, and irresponsible sellers may increase shipping costs to take advantage of consumers.
Step 2. Purchase multiple items to minimize shipping frequency
If you are buying multiple items, try to do them from the same seller in one purchase. Most sellers will bundle these items into a single shipment, and many of them will ship for free if you buy more than a certain amount.
Step 3. Avoid refurbished items (repaired or recycled) whenever possible
These items usually sell for the same price as a new item, but have been repaired for resale. While you may find good deals this way, avoid them if possible. If you are going to buy a refurbished item, check the warranty and make sure that the warranty is still valid if the item is damaged again.
Step 4. Read the return policy
One of the biggest differences between buying at a physical store and an online seller is the return policy. Make sure the seller you purchased the item from has a comprehensive return policy, and that you understand what your responsibilities will be.
Many retailers will charge a restock fee for processing returns. This fee may be deducted from the price of the item returned to you
Step 5. Look for coupon codes
Many retailers will provide a blank field where you can enter promotional codes. These codes may be store discounts or special offers on specific products. Before you make a purchase, do a web search to find applicable coupon codes at the retailer, and enter all codes relevant to your purchase.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping Safe
Step 1. Check site security
All sites where you purchase items must have a lock icon next to the address bar while you are checkout. This ensures that your information is encrypted when sent to Amazon's servers, preventing thieves from reading the data. If you don't see a lock icon, don't make a purchase from that site.
Secure sites will also have an "http. prefix shttps://www.example.com" instead of "https://www.example.com"
Step 2. Use a credit card instead of a debit card
You will be much more secure when paying with a credit card than a debit card if your account is compromised. This is because if your debit card information is stolen, the thief will have further access to your bank account, while if your credit card information is stolen, the credit card issuing company can immediately block it.
Try to use one credit card for all online purchases, to minimize risk and avoid all potential incidents
Step 3. Never make purchases on an unsecured wireless network
If you are connected to an unsecured wireless network, any data you send from your device will not be encrypted until it reaches its router. This means hackers can "eavesdrop" on your device and read the information you send and receive from the internet.
If you have to enter a password to penetrate the network, then this means the network is secure and your data is encrypted. For maximum security, make transactions only from computers on your home network
Step 4. Vary your keywords
As you shop online more often, you'll likely create multiple accounts to use on various merchant sites. Always make sure that your keywords are different for each store. This may be inconvenient, but if one store is compromised, then the thieves will have access to the payment information you enter on each store.
Step 5. Archive your receipts
Always have a record of your purchases that you can compare your receipts to with your bank statement. Keeping original purchase receipts is also useful when there is a possible fraud.
You can print and archive your receipts or save them digitally
Step 6. Shop with a virus-free system
Viruses on your computer can threaten your security and transmit your information to hackers and thieves. To prevent this, make sure your antivirus program is up to date and run regular virus scans. See this guide to learn details about protecting your computer against virus and malware threats.
Tips
- Be aware that some stores charge a trial or explanation fee (at least this is the case in Australia), to prevent people from trying what they want in a physical store, but buying it at a lower price online.
- If you're shopping for clothes, make sure you look at the sizing chart.
