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Online Shopping Guide



Who doesn't love a good bargain? Both my wife and I have been shopping over the Internet for several years and since we are both retired, we need to watch our dollars. Some people are reluctant to make online purchases for whatever reasons. We have not experienced any problems and we like the savings and convenience.

Three reasons why you should follow a consistent shopping process:

  1. You will be more satisfied with your purchase by taking time to find the product that best suits your needs.
  2. You will have less problems with a purchase in which you verified high quality ratings and checked the warranty specifications.
  3. You will save money by searching for the best price and verifying that the merchant is trustworthy.


Shopping process steps:


1. Identify the product(s) that best suit your need.


Make a list of the product features you need and those that are nice but not necessary depending on price. In most cases, there may be several products of the same type that may suit your needs. Check other sites on the Internet that may have purchasing tips for your specific product. Talk to your friends and co-workers about the type of product you want and what has been their experiences. If you need in-depth information on the product, you may be able to download the product manual at the manufacturers website.
See my computer buying guide and my camera buying guide.


2. Read reviews on product quality and reliability.


Be discerning when reading reviews. Some negative reviews can be isolated incidents and sometimes the customer has just purchased the wrong product for his needs. Look to more than one source for reviews. Don't try to draw a conclusion on only two reviews.
Here are websites you can search for product reviews:

3. Price compare considering rebates and free shipping.


Check the price comparison engines to find the best deal. Comparison engines retrieve product prices from online merchants and lists them on one page. Merchant ratings and user opinions are also listed. You can even enter your zip code to determine shipping costs. If the price is exceptionally low, use caution. Some products may be factory refurbished, without a USA warranty, or are from questionable merchants. Do not buy from merchants who are not yet rated.
Here are some popular price comparison engines:
Look for deals on deal tracking websites. You can find tips on specials, coupon codes, and rebates on a wide variety of product categories. Most of these sites list the latest deals and promotions on the first page, but you can also search by item or merchant. Some merchants list specials on certain days of the month or week. August, November, and December are good months to look for deals on electronics. Watch your Sunday newspaper for deals at your local stores. Many times you will find better rebate deals at local stores.
Here are some favorite deal tracking websites:

4. Narrow your choice to one product.


This shopping process step is obvious but not always easy. Now that you have gathered the information and prices, its time to compare the features, quality, and reliability of the products you have been researching. A common mistake is to assume that all the products of one manufacturer are of the same quality. Another mistake is to overlook a product feature that you wanted. Once you have narrowed your choice to one product, go over the features once again to be certain they are present in your final choice.


5. Confirm reliability of the online merchant selected.


More often than not, the popularity of an online merchant or the recommendation from a friend, will be the deciding factor in you making a purchase at that website. The price comparison engines normally will summarize customer reviews for a merchant indicating their rating by stars or smiling/frowning face. If you want more specific information, then you can scan and read the individual customer reviews. Another source for merchant ratings is ResellerRatings.com


6. Purchase the product.


If this is the first time for making a purchase online, the following information will be helpful. Consider that the purchase process will vary somewhat for each merchant, so read and follow the instructions carefully. I have provided links below for some merchants who have guides for the ordering and checkout process.

Things to consider:

  • Make your online purchase with a credit card, it provides the least risk.
  • You should only have to supply your email address, password, name, billing address, shipping address, shipping method, telephone number, and credit card information.
  • Free shipping normally requires a minimum purchase.
  • Free shipping is an option you will need to select in the checkout process.
  • Make your password at least 8 characters made up of letters and numbers. Do not use names, addresses, birthdays, or dictionary words. Write down the merchant and password used and place this in a secure place.
  • Always double check the items in your Shopping Cart before proceeding to Checkout.
  • Most merchants want to set up an account for return ordering, order history tracking, and for shipment tracking.
  • You will have the option to ship to an address other than your own, such as for gifts.
  • Never click the "Place Your Order" button more than once. Normally there is a short delay as the order is processed.
  • Print out a copy of your receipt/invoice and print out any rebates offered.
  • Most merchants send an email confirming your item shipped and provide a tracking code. Watch for delivery so your package is not left out overnight.
  • After receiving your shipment, carefully open the package and keep all packing materials in the event the item needs to be returned.
  • If rebates were offered, wait a few days to test out the items you received before cutting out the UPC bar code label. Carefully complete the rebates and make copies before mailing. Track completion dates.

Ordering and checkout process links:



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