Shop Safe Online, for Convenience and Bargains

If you're not already a cybershopper, you could be missing out on many benefits:

• Online shopping saves gas and time.
• It often offers free shipping.
• Online coupons are common.
• Online price comparison shopping tools, along with product review and rating systems, can help you find the best product at the best price. 
• Many online retailers, and virtually all the big ones, let you track online where your package is en route to its destination—whether you're shipping a gift across the country or to your own address.
• If you have a disability, online shopping makes shopping a breeze instead of a chore.
• You can shop around the world for things you can't find locally, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
• Small business owner? You can shop for your business without leaving your workplace unattended.
• Even if you decide to buy at a local brick and mortar store, you can do all your research online to guide your selection and save time and footwork.

For all the benefits, you still have to keep your consumer smarts at the ready. Here are ways to shop smart online:

• Make sure there is a secure payment and checkout system—look for the https (s for secure) in the URL and a closed padlock on the browser frame once you are ready to check out and disclose your payment information.
• Set up a strong password, one that includes upper and lower case letters as well as numerals and symbols.
• Know the refund and return policy. You'll almost always have to pay to ship a return, so this is where all your online research cuts down on those expenses.
• Check seller reputation by searching for user feedback and reviews.
• Pay attention to the promised delivery date; backordered items might not arrive in time for a gift or special event.