How to... Safely shop online

A guide to safe online shopping

Author:  Tina Landers

Is it safe to shop online? I don't know how many times I've been asked that question. There really is no single-word answer. Quite simply, online shopping is as safe as you allow it to be! Many people have safely shopped online and many people have not.

I've been shopping online for as long as I've been using the Internet, and that's quite a few years. In all that time I have not encountered any major problems that haven't been rectified. But then again, I'm cautious by nature which (I believe) has helped ensure that my online shopping experiences have been pleasant ones.

Before I purchase anything from someone I've never dealt with before, I research them first. I try to find reviews and/or opinions about them, I thoroughly inspect their web site, I read their return/refund policy, I read their shipping policy, I check their support policy, I check their telephone numbers and contact details and, when I'm buying, I check the security of my transaction.

Online shopping is similar, in many ways, to shopping as a tourist in another country. I know that when I'm travelling I stick to the main streets, avoid suspicious alleys, tread cautiously in unfamiliar areas, look around the store to make sure I'm comfortable with the environment, watch to see how many others shop there, and, when I do buy something, I make sure my credit card remains in sight.

If you're contemplating online shopping, do your homework first. Here's some of the things you can do, you'll need to determine what's relevant and/or important to you:

• Search for reviews and opinions about the merchant if applicable. Let's say you're contemplating buying something from XYZ Company. Try a Google search using various terms such as "Reviews on XYZ Company", "Opinions of XYZ Company", "Complaints about XYZ Company", "XYZ Company Review", "XYZ Company Opinion", "XYZ Company Shopping", etc. You may have to search a while but you'll usually find something. Most online merchants have had reviews and/or opinions written about them. Read the reviews and opinions, some may be unjustified but you'll get a good idea whether XYZ Company is popular or not.

• Inspect their website. Think of it as the merchant's store. A quality website (like a quality store) takes a significant amount of time, effort and money to build. Any merchant who cannot build and maintain a quality store can't be too concerned about providing their customers with a good shopping experience. If they can't look after themselves, they certainly aren't in a position to assure you that they'll look after you.

• Read their Refund Policy if applicable. Have they actually got one? Will it help you if you have a problem? Does it clearly state your rights or is it just about the merchant's rights?

• Read their Shipping Policy if applicable. Do they have one? Do you have various shipping options? Are the products insured in transit (this may obviously cost more if it's an option)? Do you have any recourse if the products don't arrive? Which carriers do they use? Do they have a tracking mechanism in place?

• Read their Support Policy if applicable. Are you entitled to any free support? For how long? What happens if the product doesn't work as specified? Do they permit telephone contact or do they insist on email contact? What is their response time?

• Check the security of your transaction.  You must do this even if you do nothing else. Your Web Browser will indicate when you are conducting a secure transaction. Depending on which version of Internet Explorer you are running, you will see a Lock icon somewhere in your Browser (not within the page you are viewing but within the browser). I'm running Internet Explorer 7 and the Lock is indicated to the right of the site address bar. See the image below. Earlier versions of Internet Explorer may have the "Lock" icon in its lower status bar. Clicking on the Lock will open a box which will indicate the security being used by the site. Additionally, note the "https" address, the "s" on the end indicates a "Secure" page. Do not conduct any financial transaction that is not secured.

Internet Explorer 7 indicating a secure transaction - note the "lock" icon on the right and the "https" address

Now, I'm not suggesting that every merchant that I have transacted with has scored top marks in all of the areas outlined above. In fact, I don't know too many online merchants that would meet ALL of the above criteria. What I am suggesting is that you need to figure out what is important to you and the sort of "gut" feel you get from the merchant when scoring them against some of the criteria outlined above. Stick with reputable merchants or merchants who come recommended by a reliable source.

When you do purchase something and go through the checkout process, remember  that your credit card details need to be verified and so the final screen may take a little longer to refresh than the rest did. Be patient and don't be tempted to hit the "Submit" button again (or you may accidentally place your order twice).

If you have a complaint, contact the merchant first. You'll most likely find, as I have, that the problem is easily and quickly rectified. If you don't get satisfaction from the merchant, contact your credit card provider and ask their advice.

If you've never shopped online, the above might all seem a little foreign to you. For your first experience visit a shopping site like Amazon.com or something similar and get a feel for how they operate. You can visit Amazon here.

Be aware and be safe.