Shopping OnlineTerry RatoffSkokie Public LibraryDecember 16, 2010

Overview

•Advantages of shopping online•Shop smart, shop safe•Sites for safe shopping information•Product reviews and price comparisons•Great shopping sites• Save money – find coupons and

discounts

A Few Reasons to Shop Online

Reasons to shop online

• It’s fun!• It’s convenient – save time!• Save money!• It’s green – save gas!• Can buy new, used or hard to find items• Can get professional reviews and other

shoppers’ opinions before you buy!• It’s easy to comparison shop!

A Few Reasons Not to Shop Online

Shopping online is fun!But take a few precautions!

Shop on Secure Websites

• To make sure a site is secure when you checkout, look for https:// in the web address.• Read the site’s security policy.• Look for a symbol of security on the website such as a

Better Business Bureau logo or one of these symbols before checkout:

• A picture of a closed lock:

• VeriSign

• Better Business Bureau

• Never send your credit card number in an Email. Email is not secure. • Use a credit card or a prepaid credit card. Don’t

use a debit card. • Sign up for an account that processes online

payments, such as Paypal, Google Checkout (new!), or Bill Me Later.• Print a copy of your receipt for your records.

Payment Precautions

Google Checkout: Payment Option

Privacy Precautions

• Protect yourself from Privacy Scams• PrivacyChoice.org explains how Web sites

share information and how recipients of information safeguard it. • Beware any add-ons following a legitimate

purchase, even on a reputable Web site. • Read a website’s privacy policy to see how it

shares information with other sites.

•FTC Consumer Advice •SafeShopping.org - An informational site created by the American Bar Association•Better Business Bureau online tips.•Follow your instincts! If the site looks amateurish, has spelling and grammatical errors, be suspicious.

Online Shopping Security: Learn More

Where to Shop?

Brick & Mortar Stores Online

Don’t forget local retailers!

Online Retailers

• Amazon.com• BarnesandNoble.com• Zappos.com• Beauty.com• Etsy• Red Envelope• Overstock

• Bluefly• Bluenile• eBay• Threadless• Cooking.com• Peapod• Wine.com

What are other people saying about this site or this product?

• Epinions• Consumer Reports• Better Business Bureau• Amazon. Com• Cnet.com• Consumer Search

Epinions.com

Consumer Reports

ShopSmart: from Consumer Reports

CNET Product Reviews

CNET Digital Cameras

CNET Digital Camera Reviews

CNET Canon Digital Camera Detail

Price Comparisons

•Consumer Reports•Google•Shopzilla•Pricegrabber.com •Yahoo shopping•Bizrate.com•MySimon

Pricegrabber

Pricegrabber

Google Product Search

Google Product Search

Ways to stretch your dollar• Find coupons and

discount codes online: • Retail Me Not• MyCoupons• Redplum.com• CouponMountain

• Save on Shipping • FreeShipping.org

Retail Me Not

FreeShipping.org

FreeShipping.org

Happy Shopping!