The online shopping spree!

I never thought I’d ever say this but I don’t believe in shopping till I dropped! Why? For the simple reasons there is a whole world out there, with great bargains, packages and what have you... and that is only a click away! Yes you got it right. I am referring to the World Wide Web.

Shopping in the comfort of your home, with no kids wailing in the background pestering you to get them candy or ice cream.  Taking your own sweet time to compare, discuss with besties and then deciding what to buy – sounds like heaven. Indeed!

However online shopping does have its pros and cons. Here’s how you can become a shrewd shopper:

Safety reigns supreme.

It is essential to protect your identity online, starting with having a complex password. Equally important is authenticating the website. All ecommerce websites are either approved by google, have a badge of validation from various security entities such as Verizon or simply enable third party transactions. Third party being credit card companies such as Paypal, Mastercard, Visa and so forth.  If you are still unsure of the website’s authenticity, check out if it contains a Cash on Delivery option. I recommend the last option for websites you are not entirely sure of.

Price matters

One of the biggest advantage of buying online is the price which is comparatively lower than one finds in retail outlets since displaying on the net doesn’t entail overhead costs. That said, it is important that you compare product prices before actually hitting the buy button.

 Loyalty counts

Creating your account on any ecommerce website is a good idea since you can get loyalty points. Moreover, you get to see your online shopping history for future buying references as well.

Discreet shopping

Uncomfortable looking for an alluring piece of lingerie from the outlet. Online buying has made it easier for shy buyers to pick and choose products without any worry. Moreover, it is also an easier way to avoid prying eyes and nosy questions about what you have shopped. If you know what I mean ;)

Variety is the spice of life

This holds true to online shopping. With multitudes of options available on the net and not just one website, sky is the limit for the voracious shopper. Great choices also mean competition between one vendor to another. So there is a good chance you can end up with a few freebies as well. The least you get is an excellent price on an otherwise expensive item.

Last but not the least, even if you have made a transaction over the internet and you are having second thoughts about your buy. Emailing or calling customer service is your right. Remember credit card transfers can be reversed, if you are meeting all the conditions of the company’s return policy.