Tip #4 – Safer Online Purchasing

The Product

The first thing you should do when deciding to make a purchase online is to do the product research.

Do you know anything about the product you want to purchase – have you done any research about the product's specifications or price? Sometimes a price too good to be true is often too good to be true – Bait and Switch practices. When you find a product, check out the product manufacturer's website if available.

The Seller

Are you familiar with the retailer you wish to purchase this product from? Do they have a Brick and Mortar location, or do they only have a warehouse? Don't be enticed by an unsolicited email from an unknown retailer that appeared in your inbox, do some research first. If possible, you should always find a physical address and phone number to a retailer you are interested in purchasing from. Does the Better Business Bureau have any information on the retailer (http://www.bbbonline.org/consumer/)?

Do you know the return policy from this retailer in regards to the product you are interested in? Do you have 30 days, 14 days, or 7 days to return the product? Be careful that you have enough time after shipment to return a product if there is a problem.

Do you know how the product will be shipped and if you will receive some sort of a tracking number?

Do you know the return policy from this retailer in regards to the product you are interested in? Do you have 30 days, 14 days, or 7 days to return the product? Be careful that you have enough time after shipment to return a product if there is a problem.

Do you know how the product will be shipped and if you will receive some sort of a tracking number?

Transaction Security

Will you be using a credit or store card versus a check or money order? You will have an added layer of protection should a problem arise if you use a credit or store card.

Is the site you will be entering your personal and credit card information into using security (encryption is the technical term)? The addess of the site should start with https:// and there should be a lock icon in the bottom right corner of your internet browser window (this indicates a valid secure certificate).

Problem Resolution

Make sure you print a copy of all pages with the product information, retailer's terms and policies, retailer's contact information, and any confirmation e-mails!

If you have a complaint or unresolved issue with the retailer, do you know where to go for further help? You can always lodge a complaint about your purchase with the Better Business Bureau and see if they offer any other suggestions with your problem (http://www.bbbonline.org/consumer/complaint.asp). Should the issue need to be taken to another level, you should consult your credit or store card company.

Call Just Biz for additional advise on what makes sense for your business.