Shopping online can be a great time-saver! Keep the following steps in mind to get the most out of your online shopping experience.
Setup an account or join the email lists at your favourite online stores. You'll be first to hear about new products, sales and special offers and might even be eligible for special subscriber discounts.
Watch for free shipping. Most stores have free shipping offers throughout the year. This is a great time to stock up on items you've had your eye on.
If you're buying clothing online, check the size charts to be sure you're ordering the right size and you'll cut down on your number of returns.
Be aware of the return policy. Some stores will allow you to return items to their retail locations instead of shipping the items back. A few places will even pay for return shipping, so check out the return section before you order to make sure you're comfortable with the policies.
Take advantage of the toll-free customer service lines. If you have questions about products, shipping or returns, the customer service representatives can help solve your issues quickly.
Before entering your credit card information, make sure you're on a secure web page. You'll be able to tell because the web page address will change from "http" to "https" and you'll also see a locked key or closed padlock, which lets you know that your information will be encrypted or scrambled.
Take your personal security one step further and ask your credit card company if they offer virtual account numbers. These credit card numbers are generated by the credit card company and linked to your account but you don't have to give your actual card number. The expiry dates on these randomly generated numbers are typically for the following month. This is reassuring in case your retailer has a data security breach. If your virtual credit card number is only available for a month, the likelihood is reduced that someone will be able to use your credit card information fraudulently.
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