Never Relax Your Vigilance When Shopping Online

Jul 16
07:40

2010

Heather Wang

Heather Wang

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Just as shoppers should take measures to protect themselves in brick-and-mortar store – such as protecting their PIN numbers when checking out and not leaving the purses unattended – online shoppers also need to take sensible precaution.

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It must be unimaginable for our ancestors that nowadays we just need to click our mouth and we can nearly purchase anything on the internet. Due to the development of the science and technology,Never Relax Your Vigilance When Shopping Online Articles life is much more convenient.

However, everything is a double-edged sword. Besides the convenience it brings, the high techs also bring some bad things. Take online shopping as an example.

Although it is very easy to shop online, many people are reluctant to choose this method, because they think this is unsafe. Several days ago, one of my friends bought a pair of Christian Loubotin pumps online, but when she received the shoes, she felt disappointed. The quality was not as good as the seller said. Unlike the traditional market, by online shopping, the consumer and the seller don’t see each other, and they communicate via the internet, what’s more, the consumer’s only way to know the product is the pictures and description the seller offers.

Recent surveys have found that the number of people who shop online around the globe is increasing dramatically. So, just as shoppers should take measures to protect themselves in brick-and-mortar store – such as protecting their PIN numbers when checking out and not leaving the purses unattended – online shoppers also need to take sensible precaution. The following tips offer advice on how to make your online shopping experiences enjoyable and safe.

1.      Shop at secure web sites. Some might ask how they can identify if they are shopping on a secure web site. You can tell it when you are dealing with a secure web site in several ways. If you look at the top of your screen where the web site address is displayed, you should see https://. The “s” indicates that the web is secure. But often you don’t see the “s” until you move to the order page on the web site.

2.      Research the web site before you order. For example, when you are planning to buy Christian Louboutin shoes on an unfamiliar web site, do your homework before you buying their products. Reliable web sites should at least offer some channels for contacting, such as phone number, e-mail, or live chat. Use these channels and check out the service and ask the questions you have. By this way, to some degree, you can figure out if it is secure.

3.      Purchase via the safest way. The safest way to shop online is with a credit card. In the event something goes wrong, you are protected under the laws. You have the right to dispute charges on your credit card, and you can withhold payments during a creditor investigation. You are recommended to use only one credit card for online shopping, so it will be easier to detect wrongful credit charges.

4.      Never give out your social security number. Keep in mind that providing your social security number is not a requirement for placing an order at an e-commerce web site.

5.      Keep your password. Most reputable e-commerce web sites require the shopper to log-in before placing or viewing an order. The shopper is usually required to provide a username and a password. Never reveal your password to any one. Do not use commonly known information as password, for example, your birthday, your phone number, or your mother’s birthday. Use different password for different sites. The best password has at least eight characters and includes numbers and letters.

6.      Make clear the shipping facts. How much will it cost to ship your product? Who is to pay the shipping? How long will it take to ship your product? Questions like these should be made clear before you place your order.

7.      Print your orders. Remember to print a copy for your order. After placing an order online, you should receive a confirmation page that displays your entire order, including the costs of the order, your customer information, product information and the confirmation number.

These are only some of the tips that you should pay attention to when you are shopping online. To sum up, it is a convenient but not so safe way to purchase goods, so you can never be too careful to do it.