Shop in Your Underwear

Advantages to Online Shopping and 10 Tips for How You Can Have the Ultimate Online Shopping Experience.

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

I love shopping, but I haven't tried shopping much online yet. I have some friends who do it all the time and they say there's nothing better than just clicking the mouse and having a box show up at your front door a few days later. I'd love to start online shopping (though my husband will be far from pleased!), but I'm not sure where to begin. Should I use regular stores' sites, online stores, or online auction sites? Do you have any advice for beginner online shoppers?

Sincerely,

Shop in My Underwear

Dear Shop in My Underwear,

Online shopping is a great time saver for anyone with a busy schedule or who doesn’t like interacting with other people while shopping. Most stores you find in your local mall are now represented online for your shopping convenience – and there are lots of others, too.

Advantages to online shopping:

Comparison shopping’s biggest advantage by far is that it SAVES TIME!! I don’t know anyone today who wouldn’t like to have a little or a lot more time to do other things that they normally rush or don’t do at all because of the lack of something. Comparison shopping can be done reclining, sitting at your desk, or while you’re eating lunch. You can visit dozens of stores without leaving your home — or your bed! You can do it when you’re sick or healthy (don’t let the flu stop you from shopping!). You can even do it in the middle of the night when the malls are closed.

You can find exactly what you want at the best price, and have it sent where you want it sent by regular or express mail, and even in many cases, overnight mail. Personally, I love comparison internet shopping because it works for me. I’m not a slave to the mall. The mall is my slave with comparison internet shopping. It does what I want, when I want it, as often as I want. How many things can you say that about?

10 tips to get the most out of your online shopping experience:

1. Comparison shopping. Comparison shopping is easy at shopping sites like www.shopping.com and www.mysimon.com and www.pricegrabber.com. These sites are great if you know exactly what you want, and enter the specific model number or identifying factors when searching for a comparatively priced product.

2. Online auction sites. Online auctions can be great if you don’t mind a little risk. Returns are not always possible on these sites, so the buyer must beware, and be prepared for disappointment. There is limited buyer protection on auction sites.

3. Payment. Pay by credit card, not check, cash, or debit card. The reason is that if there is a legitimate problem, your credit card company usually only holds you liable for up to $50. There may also be a dispute service provided by your company.

4. Delivery. You will not get your product right away unless you pay special shipping charges. The latest you should get your package, according to FTC laws, is 30 days. Most shipments are made within 10 business days.

5. Payment security. If you are uncomfortable giving your credit card number online, you can call the purchase in once you find what you want online. There should be a "Contact Us" link on the site or a toll free number to call and complete your purchase.

6. Shopping rebate clubs. There are several clubs online that you can join for free. They offer you rebates on your purchases as long as you shop through their website. Some are www.ebates.com, www.butterflymall.com and www.rebateshare.com.

7. Online sales. Stores with online retail outlets often offer different and sometimes better sales and prices, as well as availability than stores. If you have a favorite online store, sign up, or register with the site to receive regular notices of sales in your e-mail box.

8. Return and exchange shipping charges. Check your online site’s return and exchange shipping policies. Some stores, like OldNavy.com pay for your postage if you are returning an item in exchange for something else. If you have time, this allows for easy shopping. Other stores make you pay for all return shipping, which can make the wrong item, an expensive endeavor.

9. Return and exchange shipping labels. Some stores require you to go to the post office to return or exchange an item. Others will send you a return label complete with pre-paid postage to use if you need it. Others will allow you to download a pre-paid label to print out. Others require you to call in and schedule a UPS pick up.

10. More stores. Online shopping offers more store options than in person shopping. Many stores operate only online like www.zappos.com for shoes or www.albris.com for books. You can find more products and more choices in price by shopping online.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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