Online shopping has revolutionized the entire world of commerce. It’s probably the biggest shake up to how we buy the items we need since we made the transition from haggling over the price of every item to every item having a fixed price earlier in the last century. But with change always comes risk as well as reward. When it comes to online consumerism, there are something you should know to keep risk at bay. Keep reading to learn about these 4 things in order to protect your online purchases.
Location, Location, Location
A famous real estate agent once said, “Location is everything!” This is usually what they tell you when they’re trying to get you to spend more money. The same is true in its own way when it comes to online shops. Location isn’t always everything, but it’s darn near important to keep in mind where your items are coming from. If you find that you can get an iPad charger for 10% of the price it normally costs, chances are it’s going from Taiwan, China, or Russia. And chances are it’s going to be a knock off, badly made pirated version of what you’re trying to buy.
In other words, a fake.
For things like cheap electronics or worse yet, cheap sleeping pills online or other prescription medicines, don’t buy anything in countries known for making counterfeit products.
Ridiculously Low Prices
Would you trust a car dealer who was selling a new Honda Civic for $2,000 that otherwise would cost $16,000? Of course not! Yet somehow when we find something on the web at a ridiculously low price, we are adept to believe it’s true. Probably because we always can pull out some tale from a coworker about how her aunt saved so much money buying such and such item online. We all want our own story like to tell – especially when it comes to gadgets whose ownership comes with bragging rights.
But step aside for a second and consider the car salesman metaphor. Wouldn’t you suspect something might be wrong with the car? Or maybe it’s stolen? Or heck, maybe it doesn’t even exist?
The same is true when buying something super cheap online. It’s likely messed up in way, stolen, or maybe doesn’t even exist and they have no intention of sending you anything once they get your credit card information.
Bulk Emails and Spam Emails
It sounds incredible that someone would buy a product from what is obviously a mass email sent to as many people as possible. I’m sure you’ve gotten those dumb emails and asked yourself who is naive enough to click on through and buy a product from these people? The truth is that about 1% to 5% of people end up doing exactly like this, which is why the other 99% of us have to deal with these annoying spam emails. They know they can make a buck even if only 1% of the people respond. It’s just like direct mail marketing. But with direct mail marketing, the businesses had to at least spend some capital to get that mailer to you. In the world of online email, the cost to you your attention is virtually zero. So what do they even care so long as they get your money?
Any business that spams you is not to be trusted, end of story.
Contact Information
If you find a cool online shop that seems to have good price and what you’re looking for, but it’s a business you’ve never heard of or dealt with, before opening up your Paypal account or pulling out that Visa card, think again. Do they have any contact information on the site? Not just a contact form, but an actual address and phone number. If you call the phone number does someone answer? Is the number within the United States, Canada, or Europe or other country you’re comfortable sending your money to?
Before you give away your credit card number, make sure the business has provided you with real contact information. If none exists, accept the fact that you’re going to have to take a pass as they simply cannot be trusted. If you’re comfortable buying from them anyway, keep in mind it’s a lot like buying something from some guy off the street who has a collection of watches under his jacket and no store. Would you trust him with your Visa card?
I sure wouldn’t.