Shopping OnlineTerry RatoffSkokie Public LibraryNovember 10, 2011

Overview

•Advantages of shopping online•Shop smart, shop safe•Sites for safe shopping information•Product reviews and price comparisons•Great shopping sites• Save money – find coupons and

discounts

A Few Reasons to Shop Online

Reasons to shop online

• It’s fun!• It’s convenient – save time!• Save money!• It’s green – save gas!• Can buy new, used or hard to find items.• Can get professional reviews and other

shoppers’ opinions before you buy!• It’s easy to comparison shop!

A Few Reasons Not to Shop Online

Shopping online is fun!But take a few precautions!

Shop on Secure Websites

• To make sure a site is secure when you checkout, look for https:// in the web address.• Read the site’s security policy.• Look for a symbol of security on the website such:

• A picture of a closed lock:

• VeriSign

• Better Business Bureau

• Cybertrust

• TRUSTe

Follow your instincts!If the site looks amateurish, has spelling or grammatical errors, be suspicious.

Safe Shopping Tips

•FTC Consumer Advice •SafeShopping.org •Better Business Bureau•Payment Precautions and Options

Expert Safe Shopping Tips

FTC Consumer Advice

FTC Consumer Advice

• Know who you’re dealing with & what you’re buying.• Be stingy with personal information.• Check the privacy policy. Really.• Shop around. • Pay by credit or charge card. They offer best

consumer protection. Wiring money or using cash equivalents can be risky.• Monitor your financial accounts.

SafeShopping.org

SafeShopping.orgReasons to pay with a credit card

•It is safer than paying with cash equivalents.•It helps in a dispute. •You may save money by using a credit card if you pay it off in full when the bill arrives. •Credit card issuers may grant extended warranties or other advantages for purchases made with the card.

BBB.org: Additional safe shopping tips

• Check out unfamiliar merchants using their physical address & phone number if you can find one.

• Before you order:• Determine the company’s refund & return policy. • Understand all charges; price, shipping & handling.• Find out how long it will take to receive your order.

• Choose your password wisely. • Use different passwords for different sites.• Don’t use established numbers like birthdays, addresses,

telephone or social security.

• Keep a paper trail.• Note the URL (web address.)• Keep a copy of the order & confirmation number.

Payment Precautions & Options

• Never send your credit card number in an Email. Email is not secure. • Use a credit card or a prepaid credit card.

Don’t use a debit card.• Print a copy of your receipt for your

records.•Monitor your financial accounts.• Sign up for an account that processes

online payments, such as Paypal, Google Checkout, or Bill Me Later.

Payment Precautions & Options

PayPal

Google Checkout: Payment Option

Protect Your Privacy Online

Protect Your Privacy Online

• PrivacyChoice.org explains how web sites share information and how recipients of your information safeguard it. • Beware any add-ons following a legitimate

purchase, even on a reputable web site. • Read a website’s privacy policy to see how it

shares information with other sites. A seller's privacy policy should indicate:• What information the seller is gathering about you• How the seller will use this information• If and how you can "opt out" of these practices

PrivacyChoice.org

Where to Shop?Brick & Mortar Stores, Online Retailers, Local Retailers

Brick & Mortar Stores Online

Online Retailers

• Amazon.com• BarnesandNoble.com• Zappos.com• Beauty.com• Etsy• Red Envelope• Overstock

• Bluefly• Bluenile• eBay• Threadless• Cooking.com• Peapod• Wine.com

Don’t forget local retailers!

What are other people saying about this site or this product?

• Epinions• Consumer Reports• Better Business Bureau• Amazon. Com• Cnet.com• Consumer Search• Findthebest.com

Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports Shopping

Consumer Reports Shopping Refrigerators

CNET

CNET Digital Cameras

CNET Digital Camera Reviews

CNET Canon Digital Camera Detail

ConsumerSearch.com

ConsumerSearch.org TVs

ConsumerSearch.com Top 5 Best Reviewed

Findthebest.com

Findthebest.com

Price & Product Comparisons

•Consumer Reports•Google•Shopzilla•Pricegrabber.com •Yahoo shopping•Bizrate.com•MySimon

Pricegrabber

Pricegrabber.com: Canon Powershot A2200 Price Comparison

Google Product Search

Google Product Search: Canon Powershot

BING Shopping

Ways to stretch your dollar• Find coupons and

discount codes online: • Retail Me Not• MyCoupons• Redplum.com• CouponMountain• Bradsdeals.com

• Save on Shipping • FreeShipping.org

Retail Me Not

FreeShipping.org

FreeShipping.org

Have we got a deal for you! Daily Deal Websites

• Groupon• Daily deals from local

businesses sent to your email box.

• LivingSocial.com• Daily deal for discounts at

local restaurants, bars, spas, theaters.

• Buy.com• Computer and tech items.

Offers daily and weekly deals.

Happy Shopping!