Tips for Online Purchases

Written by Vidya Kumar

January 10, 2013

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Only few years back, getting a fridge or a television at your doorstep with just a click of mouse wouldn’t have been possible. Fast forward today!! You can even buy grocery online. That’s the power internet has given to contemporary consumer. You can select stuff online, pay for it and get it delivered at your doorstep or gift it to someone. 

There is a flood of genre of websites that give you the convenience of selecting stuff that you like. This means you can shortlist products you are looking at, on basis of the brands you like, the budget you decide and the features you want. You will get results that you fall within selected parameters for you to choose from. There multi-brand online retailers also have tie-ups with various brands whom they can get you discounts from. These online retailers have no middlemen and thus pass on benefits to you-in terms of cash, or else in terms of freebies.

These websites give you a 30 day guarantee period within which you can return stuff if you find it not-matching with what you ordered for or else if it is defective. There are terms and conditions attached to returns which should ideally be mentioned on the website when you buy products. Read these terms carefully before investing.

You can use your credit/debit/cash/gift cards to make payments, use your net banking accounts, or else pay on delivery, in cash or through your cards. You can also avail credit card EMI facility, where you buy using your credit card, and the amount is billed in installments  This facility comes with a certain costs attached to it in some instances, while it is free in others-read the website carefully for all details.

The mode of delivery depends on what you have ordered for. You are given permission to download if it is software that you bought or delivered at the address provided if you ordered goods. Alternatively, you can also be asked to pick your stuff from the nearest company store, in case the company doesn’t have access or if the value of goods is high.

BUT, you cannot go shopping from just any online store. You need to identify the authentic ones. Presence of ‘pay on delivery’ mode for payment is one such criterion that helps you judge the authenticity of the site you are shopping through.

Try calling on their customer care number and ask questions just to verify the number exists.

While making payments, look at whether the payment is taking place through a secure platform. Always make payments after creating login IDs on these sites. Never forget to take down the transaction ID and a screenshot of the payment successful page for future reference. Opt for cash/card on delivery to play safe.

It would be best if you check for authenticity of these websites by reading consumer complaint websites and finding out what users have to say about these websites. If they seem authentic enough, there’s nothing to stop and think about. Happy shopping!!

Team GettingYouRich.com


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