Pay attention to these 8 precautions when buying online
Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2024 8:46 am
03 April, 2019 @ 3:15 pmby Miguel Silvain E-commerce , Digital Strategy , Digital Marketing , WebsitesLeave a comment
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The Internet is wonderful and has brought about a revolution we never imagined possible: using shopping websites to order everything without leaving home. And when we say everything, we really mean everything! From the pizza for your dinner to the weekly groceries you need to stock your pantry.
However, given the magnitude of the digital market, it is no surprise that certain germany email list parasites appear in search of more naive users who, carried away by enthusiasm, fall directly into traps from which they cannot escape.
Unfortunately, there are currently thousands of shopping sites that are fake: when you pay for your purchase, you will never receive it at home, as promised.
To avoid falling for scams on the Internet or paying for purchases in stores that don't actually exist, I recommend that you read the following paragraphs carefully. I'm about to reveal 8 precautions that I myself take whenever I visit shopping websites.
8 things to watch out for on shopping websites
Check contacts
When visiting a shopping website, be sure to check whether there is a physical establishment. If the website does not provide an address or landline number for contact, as well as information regarding privacy and security policies, you should immediately be suspicious of its authenticity.
Don't be fooled by a website if it only has a PO box or email address. This is usually one of the first signs that a business is fraudulent.
Confirm the security system
Most of the shopping sites that we find on the Internet today are prepared to protect their customers and all their personal data from any external threat, such as hackers.
To make sure the site is secure, check that it has a security guarantee. These pages have a padlock symbol in the address bar of the navigation bar and the URL will read https:// instead of http:// .
Look for opinions
If you intend to shop on a website where you have never made a purchase, seek opinions from friends and acquaintances who have already shopped there.
If you don't know anyone who has experienced this, you can alternatively search the Internet for the company's name or look on discussion forums to see if anyone has had reason to complain about the company.
Be aware of prices
Just like in physical stores, the price of a given product can vary greatly from one website to another. So why not compare prices before proceeding to checkout?
One of the tools you can use to search for the cheapest offer is by consulting price comparison websites, such as KuantoKusta and Kelkoo .
See return policy
The Internet allows us to shop without leaving home, but this always has a big disadvantage: we cannot see with our own eyes the exact product we are buying. What if we happen to receive a defective product? Or something that does not match what we saw?
To protect yourself from such situations, check the return policy of shopping sites before making payment.
Beware of postage and fees
Whenever you make a purchase, be careful about additional expenses, such as shipping or customs fees. This way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises. For example, those who make a purchase within the European Union do not pay customs duties.
However, there is a possibility that this could happen if the purchase is made in another country, such as the United States or Canada .
The payment method
Once you have chosen the products you want to buy, it is time to proceed with the payment. However, make sure that the website only asks for the information necessary to complete the purchase. As you may know, one of the most common forms of payment is by credit card. If you can, avoid using your card.
For example, try using a virtual card or systems like Paypal . In Portugal, many stores also offer Multibanco payment methods, which are also one of the safest options.
Buy in advance
Certain times of the year are extremely busy and generate traffic among distribution companies. Christmas, for example, is the time when shopping websites see the most visits and transactions.
So, to avoid your purchases arriving after the date you need them, you have two options: pay higher postage to speed up the delivery process or order in advance. That way, you can ensure that your purchases arrive on time.
NOTE: This article was originally published on the Digital Ecosystem Blog with the title 8 precautions you should consider when browsing shopping websites
Share this article
The Internet is wonderful and has brought about a revolution we never imagined possible: using shopping websites to order everything without leaving home. And when we say everything, we really mean everything! From the pizza for your dinner to the weekly groceries you need to stock your pantry.
However, given the magnitude of the digital market, it is no surprise that certain germany email list parasites appear in search of more naive users who, carried away by enthusiasm, fall directly into traps from which they cannot escape.
Unfortunately, there are currently thousands of shopping sites that are fake: when you pay for your purchase, you will never receive it at home, as promised.
To avoid falling for scams on the Internet or paying for purchases in stores that don't actually exist, I recommend that you read the following paragraphs carefully. I'm about to reveal 8 precautions that I myself take whenever I visit shopping websites.
8 things to watch out for on shopping websites
Check contacts
When visiting a shopping website, be sure to check whether there is a physical establishment. If the website does not provide an address or landline number for contact, as well as information regarding privacy and security policies, you should immediately be suspicious of its authenticity.
Don't be fooled by a website if it only has a PO box or email address. This is usually one of the first signs that a business is fraudulent.
Confirm the security system
Most of the shopping sites that we find on the Internet today are prepared to protect their customers and all their personal data from any external threat, such as hackers.
To make sure the site is secure, check that it has a security guarantee. These pages have a padlock symbol in the address bar of the navigation bar and the URL will read https:// instead of http:// .
Look for opinions
If you intend to shop on a website where you have never made a purchase, seek opinions from friends and acquaintances who have already shopped there.
If you don't know anyone who has experienced this, you can alternatively search the Internet for the company's name or look on discussion forums to see if anyone has had reason to complain about the company.
Be aware of prices
Just like in physical stores, the price of a given product can vary greatly from one website to another. So why not compare prices before proceeding to checkout?
One of the tools you can use to search for the cheapest offer is by consulting price comparison websites, such as KuantoKusta and Kelkoo .
See return policy
The Internet allows us to shop without leaving home, but this always has a big disadvantage: we cannot see with our own eyes the exact product we are buying. What if we happen to receive a defective product? Or something that does not match what we saw?
To protect yourself from such situations, check the return policy of shopping sites before making payment.
Beware of postage and fees
Whenever you make a purchase, be careful about additional expenses, such as shipping or customs fees. This way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises. For example, those who make a purchase within the European Union do not pay customs duties.
However, there is a possibility that this could happen if the purchase is made in another country, such as the United States or Canada .
The payment method
Once you have chosen the products you want to buy, it is time to proceed with the payment. However, make sure that the website only asks for the information necessary to complete the purchase. As you may know, one of the most common forms of payment is by credit card. If you can, avoid using your card.
For example, try using a virtual card or systems like Paypal . In Portugal, many stores also offer Multibanco payment methods, which are also one of the safest options.
Buy in advance
Certain times of the year are extremely busy and generate traffic among distribution companies. Christmas, for example, is the time when shopping websites see the most visits and transactions.
So, to avoid your purchases arriving after the date you need them, you have two options: pay higher postage to speed up the delivery process or order in advance. That way, you can ensure that your purchases arrive on time.
NOTE: This article was originally published on the Digital Ecosystem Blog with the title 8 precautions you should consider when browsing shopping websites