YES! We’ve been actively purchasing online for a few years now. And like many others, we’ve steadily increased our online shopping activity gradually over time. Our first purchases were small, but once we had a few positive online experiences under our belt we began to buy and spend more online.
We save a lot of time and the stress of shopping is minimal. There’s no waiting in line to checkout, no traffic jams or inclement weather to hassle with and no bulky packages to drag around the mall.
Most online merchants, worth their salt, have gone to great lengths to make your shopping experience enjoyable. Browsing is easy. Return policies are reliable. Many offer free ground shipping on minimal orders. Some even provide free gift wrapping. Now that’s convenient!
But what do the experts say about safe online shopping?
According to CreditCards.com, This year’s holiday shoppers, are starting early, shopping with a budget and shopping online, according to studies.
Research into this year’s holiday shopping patterns from Information Research Inc. predicts that 2009 will be the season of the online budgeter. Only one in five shoppers will not have a budget. In addition, an 18 percent increase in online shopping from 2008 is expected, when only 41 percent of consumers shopped online, according to the firm.
Anxious about the privacy of your personal information when purchasing from your favorite online stores? Sixty-one percent of adult Americans share your worry, says a 2008 survey by University of Southern California’s Center for the Digital Future.
However, reputable Web sites that employ up-to-date security and payment systems are at least as safe as traditional retailers, reports Linda Foley founder of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit consumer education organization.
When The Nielsen Company conducted its first survey into online shopping habits in 2006, only 10 percent of the world’s online population (627 million) had made a purchase over the Internet. Within two years, this number has surged by approximately 40 percent – to a staggering 875 million.
Consumers across the globe are increasingly swapping crowded stores for one-click convenience, as online shopping becomes a safe and popular option.
What can I do to be a safe online shopper?
The American Bar Association has created SafeShopping.org. This site is dedicated to helping you order safely when shopping online. Check out their ten safe online shopping tips. This checklist provides you with everything you need to know about shopping safely online. Print it and keep it nearby when your shopping so you can review the steps before you order.
You’ll find online shopping is fast, convenient and opens up a whole new world of merchandise and services for you and your family.
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