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Think internet shopping’s up there with diamond embezzlement in Ghana? Or maybe you’re one careless transaction away from identity fraud?
We’ve put together a bumper how-to guide to make sure your next (or your first) online shopping experience combines the convenience of internet shopping, with a few cautionary measures.
While traditional shopping outlets provide a certain experiential element, internet shopping allows you greater freedom to conveniently shop around a bigger range of retailers for a bargain or something a little bit different. nzgirl recommends the following…
We like…
HQ Hair: www.hqhair.com
A UK based website that offers a range of beauty and haircare products at discounted prices. Play your cards right and you can end up with a satisfying bargain. A combination of a strong exchange rate, shared postage and easily found discount code saw one lucky nzgirl the proud owner of a $170 GHD, cheaper than New Zealand wholesale! Another nzgirl had trouble with delivery, her order didn’t turn up and after contacting HQ, they re-sent her order. Nice!
Amplifier: www.amplifier.co.nz
After a bit of kiwi music for your MP3 player that seems to only be found on the hottest DJ’s vinyl? These guys are the longest running NZ music website that let you listen to, watch or purchase the latest kiwi music from a range of genres and musicians.
Strawberry Net: www.strawberrynet.com
A haven for skincare, cosmetics, makeup and fragrance - if you can’t find it on HQ Hair, try Strawberry Net. They offer a range of incentives to purchase including free delivery worldwide, giftwrapping and a tiered discount scheme, meaning the more you buy, the less you pay.
TradeMe: www.trademe.co.nz
It’s like an online garage sale! With everything you could want, at a price you basically decide. Look out for up and coming designers who sell their stock via TradeMe, or keep a saved search of items you’re looking for.
nzgirl: www.nzgirl.co.nz/shop
Obviously we’re going to say that, but you can be assured we follow all the procedures to ensure your shopping experience is safe and straightforward. Plus we ship overseas, making it super simple to find the perfect slice of home gift for your best friend who’s living in London.
Mr Vintage: www.mrvintage.co.nz
This great, local site is the place to go for all your retro t-shirt needs. It’s also the perfect place to find presents for those hard to buy for people like boyfriends and brothers.
Things to know about
Once you’ve found the object of your desire, make sure you’re schooled up on the ins and outs of smart online shopping… Be wise with your details. If your memory’s worth as much as your bank balance, try not to use the same passwords (and secret questions) as your internet banking, email etc.When it comes to entering in important details such as your credit card look for the following in the browser window:
- A pop-up window that lets you know you’re entering a “secure site”
- A pad lock icon in the bottom right of your screen, if the site is secure the lock should be closed
- An https:// URL, instead of http://, think S for Secure!Make sure you keep a copy of your receipt/order confirmation so you can follow up if anything goes wrong. Same goes for any emails between you and an auction seller.If you’re using your credit card, keep an eye on your statements to make sure no one racks up some internet casino debts. If you shop online regularly and your everyday credit card has a large limit, consider getting one just for online shopping with a lower limit.Check out the company’s privacy policy, returns policy (in case the item doesn’t fit or meet their description) and their security policy so you can ascertain how they treat their customers and their important details. If it’s an online trade, check out the site’s policies.
Things to think aboutDoes it pass the watercooler test? What have your workmates, family, friends or forum buddies had to say about the site? Does it deliver on its promises? If you’re the first to discover them, make sure they’ve got more contact details than just a PO Box and try running them through a google search.If it’s an online trader, check out their feedback and try asking them a few questions to gauge their response.Shop around and remember to include delivery prices and taxes into your comparisons.Some basic rules still apply - if the offer sounds too good to be true, chances are it is.Sure the internet has no borders, but the banks do. What currency are you making the purchase in and is there a conversion charge?Be wise - immunize yourself against unsolicited emails. When you’re entering your details make sure to check (or uncheck as the case may be) the box that lets other third parties access your information.
What to do if something goes wrongIf you’ve done all of the above, you’ll probably notice something askew straight away. The sooner you get onto something like this, the better. If it seems like a genuine mistake, get in touch with the business/trader and see if you can sort it out.New Zealand purchases fall under legislation such as the Consumer Guarantees Act, which means if something doesn’t go as it should in a sale, you as the consumer have the right to insist the seller fixes it for you. This includes TradeMe type purchases.If it’s an international issue, then www.econsumer.gov is the place to go for any “cross border” e-commerce complaints.If something happens with your credit card that you are not happy with, your bank is another good place to head to. Whether you paid for your purchase and nothing’s arrived or somehow $650 has been charged to your account that you didn’t authorize, a credit card chargeback may be the ticket. Hopefully if you touch base with the retailer they should be able to reverse the wrong payment themselves, but if they’re not coming to the party it may be time to give the bank a call. Check out your bank’s credit card policy to find out the extent to which you are covered.
Have you scored a bargain online or had a bad experience. Let us know about it in the forums.
Tee Twyford
Want more info about keeping safe online? Follow click here to order your own safety guide from Westpac – it’s totally free of charge! |
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