Top Tips for Internet Shopping

With the increased use of the Internet, shopping is becoming a truly global experience, with more and more consumers turning to their computers to buy things like software, CDs and books. Like mail order, people appreciate the convenience of not having to traipse around the shops, and can browse among a huge choice of goods in their own time.

But shopping on the Internet can bring its own problems too.

Shopping on the internet - top ten tips

Our Top 10 Tips for safer on-line shopping.

1. Be careful when you give your credit or debit card details on the Internet. Always find out whether the company has a secure site.
2. Ideally, try to trade with well-known companies, or those that you have done business with before, or that have been recommended to you.
3. Try to get an actual address and telephone number for a company, not just their E Mail number.
4. As with any other type of purchase, shop around for the best deals and prices.
5. Watch out for high postage rates and for other hidden costs, such as VAT and other duty payable, particularly if goods are being sent from abroad.
6. Remember, goods being sent from abroad may take some time to be delivered. Check with the trader how long this will take, and set a delivery date that you must have them by, if that is important.
7. Check what the company's policy is on returning goods that you don't like or have changed your mind about. Again, if they have come from abroad, you may be faced with a hefty postage bill to return them.
8. On the subject of buying from abroad, remember that if you have problems like faulty goods or non-delivery, it might be very difficult to get your complaint dealt with. Your contract will be in the country where the trader is, and it obviously isn't very practical to have to take legal action abroad.
9. For that reason, only buy very expensive items from companies outside the UK or Europe if you know them well - that way, if things do go wrong, you limit the risk.
10. Most importantly, print out the order, and keep any terms and conditions that appear on the web site, just in case of any disputes or problems later on.

Howard the shopping assistant

Howard is an 'Online Shopping Assistant', developed by the European Consumer Centre and delivered by the Trading Standards Institute, that will be able to provide you with the information that you need to make a qualified decision whether to use a certain website or not.

Howard will research a particular website for you, just enter the websites name, and Howard will find the information about that site, including:

• When the website name was registered. (If the website has been registered very recently, particular care is needed especially if prices seem extremely attractive and pre-payment is required.)
• The results of a Google search. (If the results show negative comments from other consumers, there may be good reason to be cautious.)

In addition Howard can provide you with you advice on your rights. How long do you have to return goods after they have been delivered? How long is the period of time you have to make a claim against the trader when the goods become faulty? For example in the UK once goods have been delivered they can be returned to the trader within 7 days in order to obtain a refund (certain exemptions apply).

Howard cannot guarantee that a website is trustworthy or offer a guarantee of service or quality, but it will provide you with information that will help you make an informed decision in advance of making a purchase.

Connect to Howard here

Protect your PC

Learn how to protect your PC from virus's, spam email, hackers and other threats by visiting Get safe online provided by the Police National Hi-Tech Crime Unit.

This invaluable site also shows you how to bank and shop online safely as well as how to protect your information and other data.