Online Shopping Methods
Aimee Chanhatasilpa
SLM 521 Spring 05
Elective 8
|
Method |
Description |
Suggested Sites |
|
Browsing |
Allows online users to navigate a site and view all the items for sale. Search options may be available to allow shoppers to look for very specific items on the site. |
Borders.com BedBathandBeyond.com Target.com |
|
Comparison Shopping |
Online consumers can visit multiple sites to view a type of product(s) for sale and compare the price, range of models and features, shipping methods and prices in order find the best product for their needs. |
Homedepot.com Lowes.com |
|
Auctions |
Online auction sites are popular for buying and selling rare and antique items, second hand items, or just a lower price on a product than retail. Consumers can search generally or specifically for wares, enter their payment information and enter bids on desired products. The highest bid wins the auction. Many sites offer secure payment through a third party organization and offer a user rating system to help ensure quality. |
Ebay.com Ubid.com Overstock.com auctions.Yahoo.com |
|
Gift Certificates |
Most online stores offer online gift certificates via e-mail using user names, passwords, and codes for use on their websites. Gift certificates can also be bought online and mailed to the recipients home as an alternate option. Other sites specialize only in producing gift certificates for other retail websites. Consumers giving gift certificates usually pay by credit card, select a recipient, and send the certificate. |
Giveanything.com Giftcertificates.com Ftdflowers.com Sharperimage.com |
|
Wish Lists |
At one or more favorite online stores, consumers register on the sites, select a number of products they are interested in and have the site save their choices to their “wish list.” Next, print out the lists or give special passwords to access the lists to inform friends and relatives of the lists so they can choose items for birthdays and other gift giving occasions. Wish lists are similar to bridal and baby shower registries, but less formal. |
BN.com Borders.com Gap.com |
Safety Tips:
1. Be very careful of which relatives and friends you give your site information to for wish lists, so that things like passwords and other saved account information do not fall into the wrong hands.
2. Be sure you are shopping at a legitimate retail site. You want your personal and financial information protected. If the site does not easily make you aware of its security measures do not enter any private information and move on to a better quality site.