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Avoiding the Malls
Protect Yourself While Shopping Online By Deborah Ng
MacDonald does take certain precautions, however. "I watch my credit card statements very carefully to ensure there are no unauthorized charges," she says. "I try to deal only with reputable retailers. For smaller businesses, if they take PayPal, I use PayPal to pay and have my items shipped to my private mailbox instead of my home address."
Forzley would approve. He also recommends doing the "legwork and research" up front before shopping. "If consumers visit Web sites or companies they are not familiar with, they should check sources like Shopping.com, BizRate.com or the Better Business Bureau to investigate the merchants or product ratings," he says, "Calling the merchant's customer service department can also provide insight into the merchant's business practices and policies."
Since consumers can't touch or feel the merchandise when shopping over the Internet, they should still take steps to ensure they're purchasing quality goods. In addition to shopping from trusted sources, online shoppers should be sure to research the product and the brand name and read the product reviews. Always check the Web site's return policy prior to purchasing. It's never a good idea to purchase an item that can't be returned, especially if it arrives and it's not as expected. "If the fine print does not allow for 'no questions asked' returns, decide what level of risk is reasonable," Forzley says. "Perhaps buying a $10 pair of gloves which can't be returned is worth a chance, while buying a $500 work of art which cannot be exchanged is not."
In addition to protecting themselves from unsavory merchants and shoddy merchandise, consumers need to take precautions to ensure they're not the victims of identity theft. Always be careful about the information offered to online retailers. For instance, no merchant needs to know your social security number. If you can, use an online service such as PayPal, your bank's online banking center or send a personal check.
