Online shopping tips
Holiday shopping means online shopping has never been more popular. Before you hit the virtual stores, here are some tips and suggestions to make your online shopping experience better.
Shop with businesses you already know and trust.
Many retailers now offer online shopping. One advantage is that some let you return merchandise to their stores, instead of shipping it back. If you want to make a purchase from a store you haven't heard of before, do some research. Start with the Better Business Bureau Online http://www.bbbonline.com/ You can also see what other shoppers have to say about a particular merchant by checking reviews at Bizrate and Epinions.
Donate while you shop.
iGive.com is a great site that allows you to use their trusted merchants to shop from and the merchants donate a percentage of your total to the cause of your choice. Why not donate while you shop. All it takes is a little bit of your time to remember to shop through iGive.com.
Look for coupons and other discounts.
Many online merchants offer rebates that can save you a bundle of money. To receive the discount, typically you enter the coupon code in the order form. It's then deducted from the total purchase price. Start your bargain hunting by just Googling "coupon or promo code" for the store you are shopping.
Comparison shop.
So-called shopping bots compare prices for products across dozens of websites. You'd be amazed at the range of prices you'll find. Some comparison sites are PriceGrabber.com and Shopzilla
Be skeptical.
Be wary of deals that appear too good to be true. They probably are. If you have suspicions, call the merchant and ask those tough questions. No phone number listed on the site? Then take your business somewhere else. Also, make sure the site lists a physical address, not just a post office box.
Protect private information.
All reputable sites should post a privacy policy that explains what they do with customer information. Take a few minutes to review it. If you don't agree with the policy--some sites sell data to third parties--don't shop at the site. Even if you have no objections, don't provide unnecessary information by filling out the optional fields in the order form.
Review the return and refund policies. How can you return unwanted merchandise? How long do you have? Will you receive a full refund? Who pays for return shipping? An e-tailer should provide answers. If not, call the merchant before you buy.
Pay with plastic.
Most credit cards offer the same consumer protection whether shopping online or offline--you are liable only for $50 if your card is used fraudulently. You can also challenge charges and withhold payment in the event of a dispute with a merchant.
Print a copy of your order for your records.
After you submit an order, you will get a screen with details of the transaction. Sometimes there is a link to a web page where you can check the delivery status. You may also receive an e-mail confirmation.
Search the MLS or read more about Interest Rates, Power of Sale Properties, Price Trends and more at my website.
Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,
Mark
A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
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