Common Mistakes Consumers Make While Shopping Online
The fast-paced world today has benefited from the easy accessibility of e-commerce. Online shopping has become the go-to choice for many. However, like everything else, there are certain precautions one needs to take before delving into the online world.
Consumers face many problems like personal information getting compromised by hackers, and they may forget to read the terms and conditions of their purchase. Also, there are fraudulent companies on the internet waiting to take advantage of your lack of awareness. These companies launch websites with deceptively similar names by tweaking famous online retailers (from AMAZON to AMAZIN) for trapping customers. Also, some companies lure your attention to discounted prices and sell low-quality products.
As you read your employment terms and conditions before joining a company, you should similarly equip yourself with adequate information before shopping online.
Let's give you tips that will make your online shopping endeavor smooth and hassle-free:
1. Shopping from insecure websites
It is essential to check the online company's website address. If the URL contains 'Https' instead of 'Http,' you can be sure that it is a secure site. Also, search for a 'padlock icon' in the website's address bar to ensure encryption for protecting the user's information. If an online shopping website appears shady with too many pop-ups or your anti-virus has given you a warning, quickly search about the online store's reputation and reviews. Once you know that the shopping website is secure, you can proceed with the purchase. Buying from trusted sellers is an assurance about the product's quality, safe delivery, and protection from fraudulent practices.
2. Not checking your order accurately
Hasty decisions often lead to missing out or mistyping the essential details during your online purchase. From providing a wrong delivery address, picking the incorrect size to choose an inaccurate quantity of products, you can end up spending money on things you don't want. Therefore, make sure to re-check the product's summary in the online shopping cart before confirming it. For a few products like cosmetics, it's also essential to check whether you are buying the right shade as that can make a lot of difference. We often forget to check the shipping charges for products that are not available in our location. Delivery of an international product could cost a fortune. Hence, make sure to doubly check the shipping charge and additional charges, if any, so that you don't have to pay inflated prices later. If you want to reduce the cost further, you can put a coupon to fair use and save some money.
3. Saving personal information on online retail websites
Whenever you purchase a product online, there are auto-saving features on the online retail websites that provide you the option for storing your data and credit/debit card details for future purposes. Though this option seems convenient, there are chances of your details getting compromised by hackers. When cybercriminals hack into the database of the websites, your entire information can be accessed by them. However, when you enter the details every time you make a purchase and do not choose to auto-save it, you not only can protect yourself, but you can also re-think your purchase decision and prevent impulse buying.
4. Using public Wifi and debit cards
Accessing the public Wifi connection is an excellent option for surfing and doing minimal tasks but not for online shopping. Public Wifi connections are ubiquitous, be it at cafeterias, stores, or malls. However, such connections are insecure and can be accessed by hackers easily. Therefore, the advice remains to shop online using your private internet at home or any other private and secure Wifi connection, even if the need for purchase is urgent. As far as cards are concerned, credit cards are recommended for online shopping due to their enhanced security features compared to a debit card. Even if the credit card details are compromised, you can solve the problem by contacting the credit card provider, and you can have credit cards with low limits. Never use a debit card for online transactions. The hackers can access your personal information and money, and fixing debit card issues is complicated and may even lead to your account's closure. Using a credit card also gives you the benefit of increasing your credit score. If you want to avoid using cards at all, opt for online applications for payment like Paypal, GooglePay, etc. for refraining online retailers and hackers from accessing your bank account details. Another vital point to note is that you should not sign-up for free-trials that ask for card details. The odds are you may forget or find it extremely difficult to cancel your trial before it ends.
5. Failing to compare prices and buying from a single retailer
A smart buyer always reserves loyalty for an online retail website and explores other options. You might choose a particular shopping website for its consistent quality of products and suitable consumer policies. However, comparing the products' prices on different websites and glancing through other deals and offers can help you get the best bargain. You can choose a website that offers the same brand but has a better return policy, such as a longer return window and door-pickup facility. That's why it's always recommended to read the terms and conditions on every website. You should also check the reviews for the feedback given by consumers on different sites. The ones that are detailed and have pictures attached can be counted as the genuine ones. Surfing through various online shops enables you to eliminate doubts and receive the products at a reasonable price.
6. Not availing the coupons and cashbacks
If you can get cashbacks from purchasing products through a particular app, why not avail them? Be a smart buyer and get the desired discount for your product by using these apps. Some of us forget to use coupons and promo codes available on online retail websites when we are in a hurry. The coupons and codes are explicitly present on the top of the websites, and sometimes you can search for the same on coupon aggregator websites. If you invest a reasonable time before making a purchase, you can save up on a lot of money while shopping online.
7. Not using the incognito mode
We often tend to click on the 'allow' option on the 'cookies' present on every online shopping website either unknowingly or due to hasty shopping. By pressing on the allow option, you provide the online retail websites access to your search history or online preferences. When you glance through the higher priced products on your web browser, the websites can see what you are shopping. Therefore, if you turn on the incognito mode on your browser, you can stop the websites from accessing your previous search history and preferences, and you can find products at lowered prices.
Online shopping is easy and convenient as your favorite product comes right at your doorstep. Today online retailers have chatbots and sales executives who can swiftly respond to your queries and assist you in your purchase. From your end, all you need to do is stay informed and protect yourself from all risks.