Top tips for buying online

Now that nearly every home in the UK has some sort of Internet connection and like buying online here are some tips to buying online wether it be e-bay, department stores or just everyday shopping.

1) Spellcheck
Double check your spelling whenever you are buying customised/personalised items.

2) Returns Policies.
Check the company's returns policy before you buy. It should be clearly stated on the site.Some companies will accept returns even if the customer made a mistake when personalising the item; others won't.

3) Be Patient
Depending on the size of your photo's for personalised items uploading them can take a while, even if your using a fast internet connection.

4) Buy In Bulk
Some stores offer free delivery for orders over a certain amount, so it can pay to make multiple purchases.

5) Delivery Times
Look for some indication of how long it will take to produce and deliver your goods.

6) Secure Payment
Make sure the payment page is secure before you enter your credit/debit card details. Look for 'https' in the address bar, where the 's' part stands for secure.

7) Proof Of Payment
Keep email receipts safe in case of a dispute. If you don't receive one, check your spam/junk folder in case your receipt was mistaken for junk mail.

8) Passwords
Don't ever select the remember my password option when registering online at stores as your passwords are then stored on the PC, often in plain text, and are the first thing that a fraudster will target. Some malware is designed and written to go and search your PC for these passwords. In addition to this, if you use a laptop that is lost or stolen, the passwords go with it.

9) Credit/Debit Cards
Ensure that your credit cards are registered with your card provider's online security services such as Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode. Use only one card for online shopping, maintaining a limit on the card as low as possible or even using a top-up card for your online purchasing.

10) Links
Never shop from sites that you arrive at from clicking links in unsolicited marketing emails (spam).

11) FINALLY
Don't rely on previous customer's testimonials - they are part of the organisation's marketing and not necessarily factual. The golden rule of commerce is still the same as it ever was - if the offer looks too good to be true, it probably is!