FAQs for Online Shops

If you’re one of the millions of consumers who is turning to the Internet to shop for household, personal, pet, diet and exercise products and more, then make sure you are buying from reputable companies. Here are some great tips that can help to ensure that your purchase experience in dealing with online shops is a pleasurable one:

1) Look for a clearly stated contact number. Make sure that the retailer offers a contact phone number where they can be reached. Good retailers offer a toll-free number and post their business hours for customer convenience. Providing a physical address where they can be reached is also reassuring.

2) Look for a security logo (i.e. Security Metrics, Buyer Protection, etc.). Online shops should have this as a protection to you – the buyer. This ensures that the information sent during your transaction is protected and encrypted. Look for the logo at the bottom of the home page or in the shopping cart during check out.

3) Look for clearly stated shipping and handling charges – These should be displayed in your cart, if not on each individual product page. This sets a clear expectation of the price you will be paying, and will help to avoid any surprises. Reliable retailers even offer shipment tracking, for peace of mind.

4) Look for a clearly stated purchase policy. This will include all the information you need to know about delivery, returns and exchanges. You can usually find a link to this at the bottom of the home page. Reputable online retailers want to make sure that you are satisfied with your purchase so that you’ll return again, and hopefully encourage others to do so as well.
The most important things to remember when browsing through online shops, are to protect yourself by following the above guidelines, and to double check your order for accuracy before hitting “Purchase”. This will not only make your online experience a safe one , but you’ll also be able to enjoy the cost-saving and time-saving benefits it offers.