Five Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping Online

The Six Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping Online

To avoid problems, make sure you don’t make these common mistakes when purchasing from a website.

Shopping on an unsecured website

When it comes time to check out, make sure the website has an “s” in the web address line, as in “https:www.” Also, look for a small padlock emblem on the page. These are your assurances that the merchant is concerned about protecting its customers from Internet theft. Rule of thumb: Never shop on an unsecured website. It invites trouble.

Dealing with merchants who don’t stand behind their products

Before you make an online purchase, read the guarantee. Find out if the merchant will give you your money back if you’re notsatisfied. Make sure you understand whether they will back up your purchase of both their products and the products of manufacturers they represent. The time to find out is before you have a problem. Rest assured, when you buy from AspenLog.com, your purchase is guaranteed. We stand behind every item we sell 100%.

Shopping with a merchant you do not know

It is amazingly simple to put up a flashy, professional looking website on the Internet, no matter who you are. For this reason, it pays to deal only with merchants with whom you are familiar. Or, if you wish to purchase from an unfamiliar source, make sure you take the time to check out the new source with the Better Business Bureau. Their website not only deals with local complaints, but also with online companies. It also pays to check out a company on the “Wayback Machine” website. This site tells you how long a company has been in business. We invite you to go to http://web.archive.org/web/*/
http://www.aspenlog.com. You’ll see that we’ve been around for a good long time. That doesn’t happen unless a company delivers on its promises. You can count on it with Aspenlog.com. The “Wayback Machine” is a great place to check out the history of any online company with which you deal.

Not reading and understanding the purchase, delivery, warranty and return policies

Make sure you read, and understand, the terms of the purchase and the delivery. Also, be sure you know what you can do if the merchandise is not to your satisfaction. A reputable merchant will explain their policies fully on their website. Make sure you feel confident about those policies before you place your order, and that the quality of your merchandise is guaranteed. When it comes to delivery, it’s especially important to understand the terms. When we offer Free “curbside delivery” that’s exactly what we mean. When the delivery truck arrives, you need to make sure someone is there to take your furniture off the truck and into your home or cabin.

Shopping with a merchant who misuses your personal information

Make sure you fully understand how the merchant plans to use your personal information before you buy. Not doing so could result in an onslaught of Internet spam and unwanted telemarketing calls. Outstanding merchants will post a privacy policy on their site explaining what information is collected and how it is used. Look for an option to “opt out” if you do not want your name shared. No merchant should ever collect your social security number.

Avoid email confirmations

You will often have an option to receive an email confirmation of your online order. These confirmations are not secure communications. Since they often contain personal information, such as your name and address, it is wise not to expose yourself to potential identity theft in this way. Instead, print the final screen when you are placing an order. It should provide you with an order number for tracking.

Follow a few precautions, like those listed above, and you will enjoy a more secure and satisfying online shopping experience.