Online shopping is quite convenient and advantageous. However, this applies only when you do it right.
The emergence of online stores has made things pretty easy for people who prefer shopping without stress. However, as they say, whatever has an advantage also has a disadvantage.
While shopping online can be quite simple and stress-free, there are certain areas that you need to consider.
Once you do, it can prevent you from falling victim to online fraudsters and cybercriminals. In this light, the following are some important things to note while shopping online.
Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping Online
1. Ignoring Ratings and Reviews
Before purchasing anything from a site, you must pay attention to the product ratings and reviews. This gives an incline into the quality and sizing of products for sale, their mode of service, overall customer satisfaction, etc.
Whether the reviews are negative or positive, lengthy or short, ensure to read them before proceeding with the purchase. Doing this can save you from unnecessary headaches in the future.
When reading reviews, concentrate on the recent ones. This is because services and products can change over time. Also, consider the credibility of the reviewer by verifying if they are legitimate purchases or have a history of leaving behind honest and detailed feedback.
2. Taking a Site’s Word for It on Prices
At first glance, the price that you see may seem like a good deal. However, don’t be tempted. Take time to compare the prices across different platforms where similar products are sold. You can be lucky enough to find the prices significantly lower on other websites.
You can use price comparison tools or browser extensions. This ensures that you are getting the best deal out of the transaction.
Sites like PriceGrabber, Shopzilla, Google Shopping, etc., let you compare prices across multiple retailers at once. All you need to do is input the product name to view the price listings.
3. Failure to Check Return Policies
There are a million and two things that can go wrong when you purchase something from an online website. The goods may become damaged, not be delivered, different from what you ordered, etc. However, check beforehand;
- The existence of return policies.
- How many days do you have to initiate a return from the date of delivery.
- If the items you wish to return meet the retailer’s criteria.
- The steps involved in returning an item; does the retailer provide a prepaid shipping label or will you be responsible for return shipping costs?
Knowing all of these can save you a whole lot of headaches.
Note that return policies can vary depending on the online retailers. So, never make assumptions about this. Before buying anything from an online store, ensure to check out the store’s return policy. Checkout details like the condition for returning items, returns timeframe, or the inclusion of any extra fees incurred on returned purchases.
Make sure to keep all packaging materials and receipts until you are sure that the items you purchased won’t be returned. This makes the return process a whole lot easier. Also, ensure that the policy is flexible and clear. This way, you can save yourself from buying the product if the product does not meet your expectations.
4. Caught off Guard by Unexpected Shipping Costs and Extensive Delivery Period
Always check the shipping information before proceeding to purchase something online. This way, you won’t be caught off guard by the delivery duration or cost when finalising your order. Note that some retailers offer free shipping when you purchase foods of a higher amount. At the same time, others may have variable shipping fees or a flat rate.
Besides this, you should also consider the estimated period of delivery. This way, you can be sure of receiving your package before the time that it is needed. So, take your time to confirm these things and come to an agreement on the time that best works for you.
5. Making Purchases on Unsecure Websites
Shopping online requires that you share sensitive information like your financial details when making a purchase.
In this case, the first thing is to avoid using a public Wi-Fi network when processing your transaction. Doing this can leave you vulnerable to cybercriminals. Therefore, before processing a transaction, ensure to use secure and globally accepted payment methods like your credit cards or PayPal. Using these methods can help save you from financial fraud.
In addition, always verify the site that you intend to shop on. Make sure that the website URL begins with “https://” and has a padlock icon in the address bar. Proceed with the transaction only when you verify the legitimacy of the site like this.
Once you can avoid these common mistakes when shopping online, things become a whole lot easier for you. Adhering to them also helps to enhance your online shopping experience.
There is one thing to always remember when purchasing things online. It is the fact that your safety takes precedence. So, ensure that you research products thoroughly, and confirm that the site is a secured one.
Once you prioritise safety, you can proceed to take advantage of the available tools and resources. This can help you make informed purchasing decisions whenever you feel the urge to shop online.
