Author: Thong Tran

Secure transactionPhone – In Option Would you rather give your credit card information over the phone? Many web merchants allow you to order online and give your credit card information over the phone. If you re more comfortable with this option, make a note of the phone number, company, the date and time of your call, and the name of the person who recorded your credit card number. You should only give your password and credit card number in a secure connection on a web site, not in ordinary e-mail. Theft of identity, in which someone gets access to your bank account or gets credit cards or loans in your name, is a growing problem, and you should carefully guard personal information that might allow a thief to impersonate you.

Secure Internet Connections – How do you tell if the Internet connections are secure? Many web sites use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt the credit card information that you send over the Internet. These sites usually inform you they are using this technology. Or, check if the web address on the page that asks for your credit card information begins with https: instead of http: ; if so, this technology is in place. A different security technology, which works on different principles, is Secure Electronic Transaction, or SET, technology. SET or SSL technology are designed to make your connection secure. Other ways to tell whether a web site uses security software: Shopping Tip List: Your browser displays the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen (Netscape Navigator

Online Shopping Tips: Validate site: Once you have found a website with lowest price in the toy you want to purchase, a good idea would be to call the telephone number listed on the site to find out whether they have the item in stock at that time. Sometimes websites do not update their day to day inventory, some pages on their site may be redundant and if by chance the toy is not available at that time, it would lead to a waste of your time and energy.

Online Shopping Tips: Multiple Shipping Discount: Some sites offer a shipping discount in case you purchase multiple items. Once again, you can call the contact number and find out from the customer service of that website if they offer any such discount.

Online Shopping Tips: Lowest shipping charges: While shopping online, you do have to pay shipping charges on most sites which are calculated after you checkout. It would be prudent to check the shipping charges before you enter your credit card number on the seller s website. Some sites have lower shipping charges than others. Another factor which influences shipping charges is distance. Some sellers offer flat shipping fees no matter where you are located. But some of them may offer distance based shipping. For example if you are located on the east coast and the seller is on the west coast, you may incur higher shipping charges.

Online Shopping Tips: Discount Coupons: Keep an eye open for discount coupons either listed on the seller s website itself, or elsewhere on the internet. Most coupons are highlighted on the seller s homepage. In case you are looking for third party coupons for the seller, you can do a search online for coupons. Also, you can call the seller and ask customer service if they offer any discounts.