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by RuthAnn RaycroftThe Internet offers the die-hard shopper seemingly limitless opportunities. Access to stores, malls, manufacturers and dealers all over the world is literally at your fingertips. Products and services galore.
With so much to choose from, its no wonder that virtual shopping is becoming so popular. According to Forrester Research, Inc., online shopping made up only .5 % of the 60 Billion dollars worth of home shopping purchases in 1995. By the year 2000, online shopping could account for 15 % of all home shopping purchases. Why?
Many of us already know the answer - because it's fun, fast and constantly changing. And with Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to shop for gifts.
TOOLS
The Internet is vast, and so are shopping opportunities. These are just a few of the ways to make the most of your online shopping experience:
Virtual Malls
Auctions
Classified Ads
Product/gift finders
Product reviews
Virtual malls take the standard shopping mall to the next level. You will find access to a number of "stores" from a central Website. The "mall" administrates this collection of products and services: marketing and promotions, special offers, discounts and memberships and some even manage security. This is a great way to find a lot of stuff in one short trip, rather than surfing for hours to find one great outlet. For a great list of virtual malls, check out Funsites at http://www.funsites.com/sh-malls.html
Auctions are a great way to find what you want, at the price you want to pay. They operate much the same as a real-time auction. The auction "house" takes your registration, which allows you to bid on items for sale in various categories. These items may be offered by private sellers or companies. The seller will offer a description, possibly a picture and may stipulate the shipping or sales conditions. The starting bid is listed, as are the bid increments and the time left for that particular item. Check out the auctions on Excite! - http://www.excite.com
Classified ads on the Internet are very similar to those in print. Ads are listed by category. Buyers and sellers can connect by phone or mail, but have the added bonus of email for long distance negotiations. Check for classified ads on your favourite search engine, or visit http://classifieds.yahoo.com/
Also, on your search engine, on the shopping channel, you may come across product or gift finders. Product or gift finders offer you a mini-search for a particular item or person or occasion. Type in the who, the what-for, and the how-much and you will get a selected list of options and how to order them. Try http://www.911Gifts.com/
Product information and reviews are also available on some search engine shopping channels. These are a great way to comparison shop and check the quality of products.
CAUTIONS
There are benefits and drawbacks to shopping online, so buyer beware!
Purchasing over the Internet usually requires the use of a major credit or debit card. This requires sending sensitive, financial information into the network. Credit card fraud is on the rise, so be wary. Deal with reputable companies and organizations (look for Better Business Bureau seals, association memberships, mall guarantees etc.). Buy only from vendors who guarantee the security of your financial information (through encryption, for example). If possible, use the option of sending your payment by mail. It may take longer to receive your order, but your financial information will not be released into an unsecured environment. For more tips on credit card security, visit http://www.mastercard.com/education/
Privacy is also an issue on the Internet. Some vendors may ask you to fill out a questionnaire to obtain access to their site or to purchase products. How much you tell them is up to you - mailing addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers may be added to mailing lists, which can be sold to other advertisers. You could be overwhelmed with unwanted offers. NOTE - never, never provide pertinent, personal information on the Internet, such as your government identification, birth certificate, driver's license, insurance, bank account numbers etc. Your identity or finances could be used without your knowledge.
Most web sites will compile some information about you using "cookies." These small pieces of information can be used to record the domain name you are accessing the Internet from, the date and time of your visit, and the address of the web site you linked from. These are generally used only for user statistics. However, you do have options. You can instruct your browser to alert you when a cookie is being sent to you, or to refuse all cookies outright. This may mean that some or all of the features of that web site will not function correctly. To see what your browser can do for you, check out the security features it offers (look in the pull down menus on the toolbar).
Have fun and shop smart!
RuthAnn Raycroft has a Master's Degree in English Literature from the University of Wales, Cardiff. She is the writer and associate editor for Women Today Magazine.
