Online Shopping

 

 

The Internet offers many opportunities and advantages for the average consumer.  Online marketing and Internet sales are rapidly becoming a multi-billion dollar industry.  As more and more businesses and vendors try to compete for this growing market, knowledgeable and frugal consumers are reaping the benefits of choice and competition.  Below is a summary of several online shopping methods with some potential links of interest.

 

 

Before You ShopÉ

Caveat Emptor - Let the Buyer Beware

Online Shopping Tips:

 

á        View any potential vendorŐs posted return, refund, and exchange policy.  Many sites may have a ŇNo RefundÓ policy or hidden shipping and restocking fees that would make returning your purchase quite expensive.  If it is not posted or unclear, consider making your purchase somewhere else.

 

á        Make sure your vendor offers online tracking on shipments.  This allows you to follow your packageŐs progress in shipping and lets you determine if the vendor has shipped by the promised date. 

 

For more safe shopping tips and strategies visit:

 

http://www.safeshopping.org/

 

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/cybrsmrt.htm

 

 

 

Online Shopping Methods

 

Method

Description

Suggested Sites


Browsing


Basic online retail portals allow individuals to browse their merchandise and make select purchases. 

Amazon

BestBuy


Comparison Shopping


Enter or select an item and browse merchants and their prices.  Find the best price for the item you seek.  Be sure to include shipping costs in your decision.


Pricewatch

PriceGrabber

 




Auctions

Shoppers can browse for merchandise by category.  Merchandise is presented with a basic description and optional photograph.  Merchandise is listed with a starting price, and viewers may bid on the selected item.  Auctions are limited in time.  You must be a registered member of the Host service in order to participate in an online auction,

 


EBAY

 

UBID


Surplus & Clearance


Heavily discounted merchandise due to overstock or being discontinued.


Overstock.Com

Geek Stuff



Gift Certificates

People wishing to purchase gift certificates for friends or family can do so safely via the Internet now.  These electronic gift certificates can be purchased online and e-mailed to the recipient.  Some services are limited to a list of vendors, while other services allow you to use your certificate like a credit card.


GiftCertificates.Com

Web Certificate