Without a doubt, the level of financial transactions on the internet is massively on the increase. However, whilst many people are interested in buying goods on the Internet, they are also suspicious of doing so. There's no denying that there have been numerous scare stories in the press that have certainly given online purchasing a bad name but, in reality, buying products online is no more risky than many other methods, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. So, to make it easy for you all to enjoy the sales from the comfort of your own homes, here’s some basic advice.
Buy from a company that uses a secure server - Always check for this first if you are concerned about the security of your transaction. A box will appear on your screen telling you if that site is secure and a yellow/gold padlock symbol will appear in the bottom right hand corner of your browser. If you don't see either of these (you may not see dialog boxes if you have set up your browser not to display them) you are not on a secure site. A secure server is a piece of equipment that scrambles, or "encrypts", the purchase information you send over the Internet, ensuring that no-one can spy on your personal details. Nowadays, ALL banks and reputable on-line stores use them.
Check that the company you're dealing with can be contacted - It is very important, before you make a purchase, to make sure you have made a note of the telephone number and the address of the company you intend to buy from. Research has shown that being unable to contact the vendor is one of the biggest problems with Internet transactions. Simply put, if you cannot find these details on any web site (usually found by following the menu item “Contact” or “Customer Support”), do not buy from them.
Use well known manufacturers and vendors - It's generally a matter of common sense when buying on the net, so buy form sites which offer clear contact details, and preferably ones which are run by well known companies or those that have been recommended to you. If you are concerned about something don't be afraid to e-mail or call the vendor and see if they can help before making a purchase.
Don't send personal details by e-mail - E-mails are not secure so there is a risk that your personal information could be stolen.
Take care typing - Pay close attention to the information you are entering. A slip of the finger might mean buying 10 PCs instead of one !!!
Check delivery times - Make a note of the company's delivery times and check to make sure you are happy with any timescales and charges involved. If you are having goods delivered to a friend or relative in the UK, make sure they are aware of the proposed delivery date and that they may need to sign for the goods.
Check return and refund policies - Because you can't always judge the quality of a product on the Internet, it is best to check return and refund policies before you place an order. Quite often, terms of business pages appear to be longwinded and largely irrelevant, prompting many people to ignore them. However, you can bet your bottom dollar that, if you don’t read them thoroughly and something subsequently goes wrong, a company will quote you something from them that will make life very difficult in terms of getting a refund or replacement !!
Keep your password private - I know, common sense !! But please don't choose a password that someone else could easily guess. Be creative and never give your password to anyone else.
Keep personal information private - Be cautious of companies asking for too many personal details. All the retailer should need is your card number backed up with your address for delivery. Some normal and acceptable exceptions are requests for the address your credit card statement is sent to and for the security number found on the back of credit cards.
Pay by credit or charge card - If you pay by credit or charge card on the Internet, your transaction will be protected by the Credit Card Protection Act. Some companies offer an online shopping guarantee that ensures you will not be held responsible for any unauthorised charges made online.
Keep a record - Be sure to print a copy of your purchase order and confirmation number for your records.
So, now that you are all aware of the do’s and don’t of on-line shopping, where do you go to spend all your lolly !! As usual, this week’s “Surfer’s Corner” will give you some pointers on where to buy various items on-line.
Happy shopping !!
Peter Reed-Forrester
inspírese
Our Engineering Manager Andy proffered up this PC Audio set-up for Gadget of the week, stating that the sound quality is excellent, they look good and are real value for money.
