Be a safe shopper. Make sure the website you are buying from is secure. There are several easy ways to check if a website is truly secure. Look where the address is displayed, you should see https://. The "s" lets you know that the website is secure.
Look on the right side of the address bar if you see a closed padlock then the website is secure. Some websites display an authentic and secure logo on the bottom of the page.
Be an educated shopper. Know what you want to buy and the price you are willing to pay. Compare prices on the product you are looking for remembering to check the taxes and shipping fees. Product reviews are a great way to find out what you are getting into from people who have already made the same purchase.
Be an organized shopper. Be sure to save and/or print all receipts and confirmations you receive as well as all tracking information. Also remember to check the stores return and exchange policies.
Be a prepared shopper. Holidays are very busy for you and the stores you are buying from so be ready for delays. Buy your gifts ahead of time that way you won't be frantic as the holiday draws near and your package has not arrived. Find out if you can ship the item you purchase to a different address, most stores allow this and since shipping seems to take forever around the holidays this would really save you time and headaches. Also check to see if the store has gift wrapping, that is always a plus!
Be a happy shopper. Shopping is fun so enjoy it. Make a wish list for yourself while you're shopping for others and give your wish list to the ones you love. List your favorites at the top and work your way down, putting stars or smiley's next to your favorites also works well. Sometimes our loved ones need a little help.
Be a realistic shopper. Know how to get in touch with the store you purchase from should problems arise. If problems should arise, know who to contact if the store won't respond. A good place to keep in mind when you need help is the Better Business Bureau.
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Be an economical shopper. A great way to save money is to use online deal and coupon websites. These websites offer coupon codes on products which you can use during the checkout process. Also check these deal websites to see if they have a free shipping code for the store you will be making your purchase from. Some deal websites even have printable coupons so you can take the coupon with you. Also check to make sure that the coupon code has not expired.
Article Source: online comparison shopping
