Safe Online Shopping Is Like Safe Sex: Common Sense
Rick London
How many more articles are going to be written on "safe internet shopping"? Well, here's one more. And its the basics. It's the basics because the basics is what you need to know, just like a store in your local mall (but a little different). Things like shipping price, security, guarantees, quality, service. Common sense things. But how do you find out when the vendor may be across the country (if not the world?)
Knowledge. Of course knowledge is power and education is the key to knowledge. I don't mean go out right now and sign up for a class on Internet shopping, though it's never a bad idea if you have the time, and, like me, do most of your shopping on the Internet.
Of course the obvious obstacle is you can't see the seller. He or she may be sitting in pajamas in Mozamibique for all you know. But with a little research, you can find out rather rapidly where the seller is and how long he/she has been there. Also, many stores over an 800 number for customer service and ordering. Use it if you feel a bit skiddish but want a product from the store.
In very rare cases, a store ispsys little or no attention to its security. That is one of online shoppers main concerns. Take a look at the verfication icons at the bottom of the page to see who has verified the validity of the security. In other words, don't just send your credit card information in an email to an online shop. That is common sense. And unless you are signing up for an affiliate program, there is never a reason to have to give your social security number to order anything. And even then, you will want to do so through a well-known 3rd party source like Commission Junction on their secure platform. But again, that is only if you have found a product or products that you like, and want to resale them on your site (if an affiliate program is being offered). You do not have to sign up for the affiliate program unless you want to. With a good product, they are a great way to make extra cash doing virtually nothing but linking the product to your site.
Is the company stable? Are they going to be able to deliver? There are ways to find that out by doing research on the firm. You can go to WhoisLookup and type in the URL and find out when the company was formed. For instance, though many of my stores are less than two years old, as a cartoonist, we have been selling gifts and collectibles on our main cartoon website since 1997. Our main manufacturer 3drose, is one of Ebay's oldest and largest PowerSellers with over 12,000 transaction with a 99.4% positive rating. That kind of thing doesn't hurt. Many stores have sub stores on Ebay or other auction sites. Simply check their feedback and ratings.
I feel much more comfortable when a store has a blog or comunity. Ebay says this is what contributed the most to their success and I believe it. It has helped us a great deal. A buyer simply feels more comfortable knowning others historically have had positive experiences.
Does the company offer a 30 day unconditional money-back guarantee? If not, don't bother. There is a reason they don't and if you order you'll soon find out why. In my virgin days of the Internet, I didn't bother to check, and I learned quickly. This is of utmost importance whether buying locally or on the Internet. If a company won't stand behind its products or service, there is a reason. And some still don't. Caveat emptor.
Rick London is a veteran online store owner. He owns numerous stores including http://www.ricklondonwear.com/ Safe Sex, Safe Shopping All Common Sense and
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