Tips for Safe Online Shopping

1.Use Familiar Websites
Start at a trusted site rather than shopping with a search engine. Search results can be rigged to lead you astray, especially when you drift past the first few pages of links. If you know the site, chances are it’s less likely to be a rip off. We all know Amazon.com and that it carries everything under the sun; likewise, just about every major retail outlet has an online store, from Target to Best Buy to Home Depot. Beware of misspellings or sites using a different top-level domain (.net instead of .com, for example)—those are the oldest tricks in the book. Yes, the sales on these sites might look enticing, but that’s how they trick you into giving up your info.

2. Look for the Lock
Never ever, ever buy anything online using your credit card from a site that doesn’t have SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed—at the very least. You’ll know if the site has SSL because the URL for the site will start with HTTPS:// (instead of just HTTP://). An icon of a locked padlock will appear, typically in the status bar at the bottom of your web browser, or right next to the URL in the address bar. It depends on your browser.

Never, ever give anyone your credit card over email. Ever.

3. Don’t Tell All
No online shopping store needs your social security number or your birthday to do business. However, if crooks get them, combined with your credit card number for purchases, they can do a lot of damage. The more they know, the easier it is to steal your identity. When possible, default to giving up the least amount of information.

4. Check Statements
Don’t wait for your bill to come at the end of the month. Go online regularly during the holiday season and look at electronic statements for your credit card, debit card, and checking accounts. Make sure you don’t see any fraudulent charges, even originating from sites like PayPal. (After all, there’s more than one way to get to your money.)

If you do see something wrong, pick up the phone to address the matter quickly. In the case of credit cards, pay the bill only once you know all your charges are accurate. You have 30 days to notify the bank or card issuer of problems, however; after that, you might be liable for the charges anyway.

5. Inoculate Your PC
Swindlers don’t just sit around waiting for you to give them data; sometimes they give you a little something extra to help things along. You need to protect against malware with regular updates to your anti-virus program. PCMag recommends Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus (4.5 stars, Editors’ Choice, $39.95 direct), which has extras to help fight ID theft, or at the very least the free Ad-Aware Free Internet Security 9.0 (4.5 stars, Editors’ Choice).

6. Use Strong Passwords
We like to beat this dead horse about making sure to utilize uncrackable passwords, but it’s never more important than when banking and shopping online. Our tips for creating a unique password can come in handy during a time of year when shopping around probably means creating new accounts on all sorts of e-commerce sites.

7. Think Mobile
The National Retail Federation says that 5.7 percent of adults will use their mobile devices to do comparison shopping before making a purchase. (And 32.1 percent will comparison shop online with a computer, as well.) There’s no real need to be any more nervous about shopping on a mobile device than online. The trick is to use apps provided directly by the retailers, like Amazon, Target, etc. Use the apps to find what you want and then make the purchase directly, without going to the store or the website. (For more complete information, be sure to also read our tips for shopping safely on a mobile device.)

8. Avoid Public Terminals
Hopefully we don’t have to tell you it’s a bad idea to use a public computer to make purchases, but we still will. If you do, just remember to log out every time you use a public terminal, even if you were just checking email.

What about using your own laptop to shop while you’re out? It’s one thing to hand over a credit card to get swiped at the checkout, but when you must enter the number and expiration date on a website while sitting in a public cafe, you’re giving an over-the-shoulder snooper plenty of time to see the goods. At the very least, think like a gangster: Sit in the back, facing the door.

9. Privatize Your Wi-Fi
If you do decide to go out with the laptop to shop, you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection. Only use the wireless if you access the Web over a virtual private network (VPN) connection. If you don’t get one from your employer, you can set up a free one with AnchorFree Hotspot Shield, if you’re willing to put up with the ads, or pay $4.99 a month or $44.99 a year to skip the ads. There’s even an iOS app version of Hotspot Shield, but that will cost you $.99 per month or $9.99 a year after the first seven days.

By the way, now is not a good time to try out a hotspot you’re unfamiliar with. Stick to known networks, even if they’re free, like those found at Starbucks or Barnes & Noble stores that is powered by AT&T. Look for the network named “attwifi,” then open a browser to click into the “walled garden” to get final access. You can also find free Wi-Fi at McDonalds, Panera Bread, and FedEx Office locations, not to mention libraries and local cafes.

10. Count the Cards
Gift cards are the most requested holiday gift every year, and this year will be no exception. Stick to the source when you buy one; scammers like to auction off gift cards on sites like eBay with little or no funds on them.

11. Know What’s Too Good to Be True
Once again, McAfee has compiled a Twelve Scams of Christmas list, all things to be aware of while shopping. The “coupon scam” offers of a free product with purchase, in particular an iPad (a very coveted gadget at any holiday) or even holiday job offers. Many of these “offers” will come in via social media. Beware even of your friends, who might innocently forward such a thing. Be very wary even if you get a message from friend claiming he or she has been robbed, especially a friend overseas looking for money to be wire transferred, unless you absolutely can confirm it by talking to him or her personally. Skepticism in most cases can go a long way toward saving you from a stolen card number.

 

 

Source : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2373131,00.asp

Benefits of Online Shopping

Given below is my list of 10 reasons why it is better than conventional shopping.

  1. Convenience. The convenience is the biggest perk. Where else can you comfortably shop at midnight while in your pajamas? There are no lines to wait in or shop assistants to wait on to help you with your purchases, and you can do your shopping in minutes. Online shops give us the opportunity to shop 24/7, and also reward us with a ‘no pollution’ shopping experience. There is no better place to buy informational products like e-books, which are available to you instantly, as soon as the payment goes through. Downloadable items purchased online eliminate the need for any kind of material goods at all, as well, which helps the environment!
  2. Better prices. Cheap deals and better prices are available online, because products come to you direct from the manufacturer or seller without middleman being involved. Many online shops offer discount coupons and rebates as well. Apart from this, online shops are only required to collect a sales tax if they have a physical location in our state, even if we buy from a store across the world.
  3. More variety: The choices online are amazing. One can get several brands and products from different sellers all in one place. You can get in on the latest international trends without spending money on airfare. You can shop from retailers in other parts of the country, or even the world, all without being limited by geography. A far greater selection of colors and sizes than you will find locally are at your disposal. Apart from that, the stock is much more plentiful. Some online shops even provisions in place to accept orders for items out of stock and ship it when the stock becomes available. You also have the option of taking your business to another online store where the product is available.
  4. You can send gifts more easily. Sending gifts to relatives and friends is easy, no matter where they are. Now, there is no need to make distance an excuse for not sending a gift on occasions like birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and so forth.
  5. Fewer expenses. Many times, when we opt for conventional shopping, we tend to spend a lot more than planned. There are other outside expenses on things like eating out, transportation, and let’s not forget impulse buys!
  6. Price comparisons. Comparing and researching products and their prices is so much easier online. Also, we have the ability to share information and reviews with other shoppers who have firsthand experience with a product or retailer.
  7. No crowds. If you are like me, you hate crowds when you’re shopping. Especially during festivals or special events, they can be such a huge headache. Also, it tends to be more chaotic when there are more crowds out and this sometimes makes us feel rush or hurried. Grumpy, annoying, and smelly people also annoy me when I’m out shopping. Plus, parking becomes a huge issue. All of these problems can be avoided when you shop online.
  8. Less compulsive shopping. Often times when we’re out shopping, we end up buying things compulsively that we don’t really need. All because shop keepers pressure us or use their selling skills to compel us to make these purchases. Sometimes, we even compromise on our choices because of the lack of choices in those shops.
  9. Buying old or unused items at lower prices. The marketplace on the Internet makes it much easier for us to buy old or unused things at rock bottom prices. Also, if we want to buy antiques, there’s no better place to find great ones.
  10. Discreet purchases are easier. Some things are better done in the privacy of your home. Online shops are best for discreet purchases for things like adult toys, sexy lingerie, and so on. This enables me to purchase undergarments and lingerie without embarrassment or any paranoia that there are several people watching me.

So, have I given enough reasons to choose online shopping over conventional shopping? Please comment below on why you and others prefer it!

source:https://toughnickel.com/frugal-living/Online-shopping-sites-benefits

Top 10 Online Shopping Sites in the Philippines

 

1. Lazada Philippines

This should come as no surprise. Lazada Philippines has grown to be the go to site for online shopping in our country.

They offer a wide array of products from local to international brands, electronic gadgets to toys and beauty products to kitchen wares. Lazada was also chosen by Xiaomi Philippines to be their exclusive partner.

The biggest advantage of Lazada Philippines compared to other online shops is the Cash on Delivery payment option. Installment plans are also available using credit cards.

Support is a bit problematic though. Lazada doesn’t offer live chat but you will be updated on your order’s status in their website, emails and text messages.

Related: How to Use Lazada Vouchers or Coupons Successfully

2. Kim Store

Pinoy Techno Guide is a tech blog to naturally, Kim Store will be on top of this list for us. Kim Store offers original smartphones, tablets and other gadgets at very low prices. They can even sell the newest gadget even if it hasn’t been officially released in our country!

If you are looking for the best online shop for gadgets, Kim Store is the best way to go. They also have friendly staff members who will promptly respond to your questions via text message.

The disadvantage with Kim Store is that their products almost always get sold out due to the low prices. You’ll have to follow them on Facebook to get the latest price drop or make a reservation.

3. Zalora Philippines

For those who are looking for the perfect online shop for branded fashion items like T-Shirts from H.E. by Mango, Levi’s Pants or Nike shoes, Zalora is the top online shop for you.

Just like Lazada, Zalora Philippines also offer Cash on Delivery and free shipping for orders above ₱1,000. Based on my experience, you’ll hardly order below this amount from Zalora.

Zalora Philippines also has a problem with the absence of live chat but you can also track your orders easily and contact them for any issue.

The best part with Shopping on Zalora is the ₱250 discount on your first purchase and monthly sale!

Get 15% Off. Use Code WAVE15 at the checkout!

4. OLX or Sulit.com.ph

I hear you people, OLX or Sulit isn’t really an online shop. It only serves as a platform where people can sell their stuff to other Filipinos. However, this list aims to find the best website to shop online and OLX serves the purpose.

OLX has a fascinating origin story from being founded by RJ and Arianne David in 2006 with a capital of just ₱2,400.00!

If you’re looking for a second hand smartphone or laptop, a room or house to rent and even a car, OLX.ph is the perfect choice. Just be extra careful and double check who you’re dealing with

 

5. Shop This Easy

From the name itself, Shop This Easy will give you a hassle free online shopping experience. They only sell fashion items and largely on fashion clothes for ladies.

My girlfriend and I once bought couple shorts from them and we were very happy with both the product and the transaction.

I also like the Shop This Easy website very much. Unlike Lazada which seem cluttered and messy, this one was designed with the user experience in mind. They also have live chat for support.

6. Ayos Dito

Again, this one is a classifieds or buy and sell website just like Sulit.com.ph. Between Ayos Dito and OLX, one can’t really pick which one is better. However, OLX seems to be having a better time than Ayos Dito.

If you’re looking for this type of site to shop online, be extra careful. You can find great deals on Ayos Dito but there are also crooks who take advantage with their free service to rip you off.

By the way, did you know that you can find job openings listed on Ayos Dito?

7. Goods.ph

This one has been suggested a couple of times in the comments below. I’m not sure if they were affiliated with Goods.ph or just sharing their favorite online shop.

Anyway, Goods.ph lives up to its name by selling a lot of items that you normally see in a grocery store. If you want somebody else to deliver your groceries at your doorstep, Goods.ph is up for that task. They also sell gadgets, appliances, fashion items and even books.

Free shipping is also available as well as Cash on Delivery.

8. Widget City

Widget City is another great online shop for smartphones, laptops tablets, cameras, accessories and other electronic stuff. Widget City ensures that they only sell original products from trusted brands.

The best thing about Widget City: they have dedicated support lines based on a gadget’s brand! There’s a number for all Apple products, another for DSLR cameras and for other gadget brands.

9. Instagram and Facebook Online Shops

A lot of online boutiques use Instagram or Facebook in selling their items. Most of these online shops are just starting up while others are already years in the business but have become comfortable with this setup instead of putting up their own website.

Just be careful though. Make sure that the online shop is trustworthy before purchasing anything. These shops can be addicting because you constantly see them in your social media feeds.

10. Keekay.ph

You can guess what this online shop sells by its name alone. Keekay.ph offers cosmetics and other beauty products from brands like L’Oréal Paris, Mary Kay, Maybelline New York and Human Nature.

I may not be the right person to recommend Keekay.ph (I’m a guy after all) but since it is run by someone who know make-up very well, I’m pretty sure you’re in good hands. Their vision: To become the leading makeup online store in the Philippines.

How to Shop Online

In this guide, we’re going to show you how to find a product online and make a transaction.

 You’ll need:

  • a computer with an internet connection
  • a credit or debit card.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to learn how to buy online

 

Step 1: Type the name of the product you want to buy into the search box of a search engine such as Google – for example, ‘roberts radio’ – and click Search.

 

Step 2: You should see a range of websites, from ‘bricks-and-mortar’ department stores such as John Lewis to large websites simply devoted to shopping, such as Amazon. If you’ve searched for a particular brand, you may also see the brand’s own website. Choose one of these websites and click on the link.

 

Search results for 'roberts radio' on Google

 

 

Step 3: A new page will open, taking you to the retailer’s website. You can now refine your search by typing in keywords (for example ‘Roberts Revival radio’) in the search box, which is usually at the top right of the screen. Then click Go or Searchor, in this case, the magnifying glass next to the search box. Alternatively, you can click into a specific category (such as ‘All radios’) and browse until you find a product you like.

 

 

Roberts Radio homepage

 

Step 4: We have clicked into ‘All radios’ and then ‘DAB’. A selection of products is now shown. 

 

Search results on the Roberts Radio website

 

 

Step 5: Click on the product you are interested in purchasing. If you would like to buy the item, click ADD TO BASKET. Doing this will save the details of this item until you’re ready to purchase it, just as if you’ve popped something you want to buy into a real shopping basket. 

 

Product details page for the Bramble Trail Roberts Radio

 

 

You’ll now be taken to your shopping basket, where you can choose to ‘Checkout’ or ‘Continue Shopping’. 

 

Shopping basket contents on the Roberts Radio website

 

 

 

Step 6: If you wish to go ahead and purchase without shopping for other items, you will need to confirm that you are happy with the terms and conditions and click Checkout. A new page will then open that displays a form for you to complete with your name, contact and delivery details. 

 

Checking out process on the Roberts Radio website

 

Now, if you’re happy to proceed with your purchase, click Continue.

 

 

Step 7: A new page will open that displays a summary of your order, complete with billing and delivery details. If all the details are correct, click Continue.

 

Step 8: Finally, enter your credit or debit card details and any other information required. ClickProceed if you’re happy to make the payment.

 

Form to add payment details on Roberts Radio website

 

 

 

At this point, you may be asked for another password if you’ve signed up for 3-D Secure, an added layer of security for online credit and debit card transactions. This includes Visa’s ‘Verified by Visa’ and MasterCard’s ‘SecureCode’. Once you’ve given the right password, your order will go through.

 

You should receive an email confirming that your order has been received. Retailers often send a second email once an item has been posted.

Source :

https://www.digitalunite.com/guides/shopping-banking/online-shopping/internet-shopping-how-buy-online