Not so long ago, most people enjoyed the whole experience of going out to shop; as in getting dressed and round up their pals to visit all their favourite stores to get in on either the latest sale or the latest trends. And while there’s still a handful of people who will never give up their in-store experience, the fact is that there has been a paradigm shift to online. Yes, a growing number of people are today embracing and enjoying the convenience of shopping online.
But why are so many people ditching the brick and mortar experience and flocking to online? Well, one survey showed that 71% of online shoppers believe they get better deals online than in store; 28% of the same people surveyed say they’ll park their cart if shopping costs are too high. But the number one reason millions are online is that of the convenience it offers. Yes, with no fitting rooms or lines to contend with, plus with features like size charts and reviews, you can check off your Christmas gift list shopping while meeting that deadline for your report, preparing your Thanksgiving dinner or even while binging on your favourite TV series.
Online shopping also puts the power in the consumer’s hands. With many stores now providing an online retail option, it means they are competing not only on product offerings and price but also on the post-sales support that they provide to shoppers. An online store that provides free shipping with no minimum purchase may get more sales than the store that requires a minimum to access free shipping. Likewise, a store that offers 24-hour online customer support will fare better than the one that offers a 12-hour support.
So if online shopping is so great, why are even more people not there yet? For places like Jamaica and other countries in the Caribbean, one of the biggest hindrances may be access to a credit card facility, while others are doubtful about delivery times. The number one reason, however, is security. Many people (both the converted and the late adapters) are fearful of using their credit card online due to the instances of cyber-fraud and the belief that their card number can be stolen. While these fears cannot be totally eliminated, cyber laws concerning eCommerce have been significantly strengthened and financial institutions and online stores have instituted varying security measures to reassure customers that online shopping is generally as safe as a visit to the store.
Nonetheless, every possible precaution should be taken when shopping online. As the busy Christmas season approaches, no doubt many people will be looking for bargains and the best deals on the perfect gift for that special someone. So, here are a few very important do’s and don’ts to practice while shopping online.
DO’s
Be Vigilant
Check the name of the site and importantly the web address to make sure that it is correct. Secure eCommerce sites always have a ‘s’ at the end of https:// or a tiny padlock in the lower right-hand corner of your browser indicating that the connection is secure. Be sure to look out for domain extensions like .ru, .cc or .cn (instead of .com), because they’re not often used by legitimate
retailers.
Guard Your Personal Information Be guarded about readily giving information like your name, address, phone number and your credit card number even though these are legitimate information that sites will ask for. However, be even more guarded about giving out your social security number or Tax Registration Number (TRN), bank routing numbers or driver’s license/passport number. You want to prevent identity theft at all costs.
DON’TS
Don’t Use Public Computers to Make Purchases
For obvious reasons; it is used by just about anyone so how safe can it really be? Likewise, do not attach your devices to public Wi-Fi sources as they have unreliable security settings.
Don’t Get Caught by the Fine Print
We tend to be so trusting when it comes to the fine prints because they’re so small and a lot of information. But take the time and read them; read about the delivery charges, foreign currency exchange rates and import duties and the return and refund policy. Additionally, familiarise yourself with the additional charges such as customs duties that are associated with online purchasing, particularly if you are shopping overseas.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #5 November-December 2017