Eggnog, ugly sweaters, and shopping, yes shopping are three things synonymous with the holidays. Whether you are into any of these or not, they have become some of the things to do, in North America, during the holiday season. And since, online shopping has become part of our holiday shopping habits, it goes without saying, a level of caution has to be applied before clicking on a link for those ‘must-have-shoes’ that are calling out to be bought.
A recent article byPAYTM Canada titledHow to become a savvy online shopper this holiday season provides some useful insights and tips on how to be aware and shop smart online during holiday season. It reads in part;
“Holiday shoppers are enjoying the wave of online deals and discounts, thanks to retailers creating a whole season of shopping specials designed to keep you browsing and buying through the dark days of winter. Online shopping conveniently lets you skip the cold, the crowds, the lineups, and the incessant holiday music in the stores. Plus, shopping online can be fun”.
And before you pull out that credit card here are 5 tips from that can help you have Happy Joly Holiday if use them.
Shop securely
The number one rule of online shopping is to shop securely. Any reputable retailer will have a secure site — meaning any personal and credit card information you give them is secure. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar next to the retailer’s web address or an extra “s” in the URL after “http”. The URL should start with “https.” The last thing you want is to purchase a sweater for your mom only to have your credit card compromised and used to buy thousands of dollars of expensive stereo equipment.
You should also make sure you are on a secure Wi-Fi network. As a general rule, try to do all online shopping from the comfort of your own home. Using public Wi-Fi can leave your personal information vulnerable.
Search for deals
One of the biggest benefits of shopping online is the ability to comparison shop with ease. No more trekking through the entire mall looking for the perfect wallet. Tools like Google’s shopping search make it easy to quickly scour the web based on specific criteria like price point, brand, style, and colour. It’s like having a personal shopper at your fingertips.
Get rewards
We’re all about saving money while you spend money. Shopping online means that you will be putting your purchases on a credit card. Make sure your credit card has a rewards program so that you can rack up points that you can use towards paying off your credit debt or paying for things like flights, hotels and car rentals on your next vacation.
Shop brands you know and love
There are so many online retailers out there competing for your money. Low prices can be enticing but there is nothing worse than ordering an item only to be disappointed when you open the package because it doesn’t meet your expectations. Your safest bet is to order online from stores that you already know and love. Being familiar with the service, quality, sizing and return policy helps to greatly reduce the possibility of getting stuck with something you don’t like or want.
Ship smart
When trying to decide what product to buy online, be sure to factor in where it is coming from and when you need it. To avoid massive shipping fees, it is wise to shop well in advance of the date you need the item so that you don’t have to express ship anything. Buying from Canadian retailers is the best way to make sure your shopping is in ship-shape. You’ll get your packages quicker and with little to no shipping fees.
Bottomline: shopping online has become much easier than in previous years. And the number of Canadians and the world in general, who has flocked to online shopping is staggering. In closing, shop secure and be merry.
