Buying something online instead of in a store is undoubtedly incredibly convenient, and sometimes we can find much better deals than we would by going into stores. Online shopping’s popularity is at an all-time high considering we recently found ourselves in the middle of a worldwide pandemic which made it hardly ideal to go outdoors.
However, online shopping can come with certain risks. We can find ourselves bamboozled if we aren’t careful. That’s why making large purchases online should be done with extreme caution. Whether you’re buying an air-cooled chiller or a new PC, the same rules apply. To help you avoid issues, keep these things in mind when making large purchases online.
Only Purchase On Secure Sites
There is a difference between a secure site and a standard one. The way you can tell a website is secure is whether it starts with HTTPS or HTTP. Always make sure that the URL begins with HTTPS which means that it will encrypt data. In other words, when you give your financial information at the checkout, hackers can’t compromise the data and steal your card number.
Use PayPal
If you have the option to make a purchase with PayPal you should do so. PayPal is a third-party program that will protect your funds in the event that the transaction goes sour. It’s as simple as opening up a dispute and filing a claim against the seller. In the event that it is concluded that you were in fact the receiving end of a dishonest deal, your money will be returned to you by PayPal.
Use Reputable Sites
Even if a website offers PayPal and seems to be legitimate, you still can’t be 100% sure that you’re dealing with a reputable company with honest practices. Unfortunately buyers can find themselves at the receiving end of a sour deal even under these circumstances. Ideally, you should buy from a website that is well-known amongst online shoppers and has a positive reputation for their customer service.
If your product doesn’t work, or part of it is missing, you want a company that is going to promise to make it right. Websites like Amazon have built an entire empire by making this promise to their customers.
Shop Sales
There are some periods of the year that are more advantageous than others for making big purchases. For example, Black Friday is notorious for its impressive markdowns. When making big purchases, ideally, you should wait for these big sales and you’ll find you can save a significant amount of money.
In addition to waiting for the right period of year, you should also shop around for coupon codes. Often influencers or participating partners will offer coupon codes that you can use during checkout which will save you a lot on the final cost.