OPAL Online Shopping Guide
November 2005
Attractions of Online Shopping
Online shopping is very convenient.
There is no need to drive, park, and walk.
Most online shopping websites are always open.
Comparing prices is easy.
Prices can be very low.
Sales taxes can be low or non-existent.
When buying gifts online, often you can have them gift wrapped and shipped
directly to the recipient of your gift.
Disadvantages of Online Shopping
You cannot feel the fabric and kick the tires.
Shipping and handling charges can be high.
Sales help is not as available as when shopping in a real store (?)
You cannot walk out of an online store with the goods in hand.
Returning or exchanging an item can be arduous and expensive.
Dangers of Online Shopping
Credit Card Theft and other forms of financial misdealings
Identity Theft
Misuse of Cookies
Misuse of Information You Voluntarily Supply
Prices That Do Not Compete with Bricks and Mortar Stores
Shoddy Goods and Services
Items not in stock
Slow delivery times
Unacceptable policies regarding returns, exchanges,
refunds, etc.
Basic Precautionary Measures
Look for the closed padlock icon within your browser as an indication that
you are connected to a secure website.
Also, a web address beginning with https indicates that the online retailer
is using the Secure Socket Layer, which encrypts data you send to them.
Look for the VeriSign logo on the retailer’s
website. This means that this online
retailer has agreed to the security terms of VeriSign
to provide a safe online commercial transaction.
Also look for the TRUSTe emblem. This means that the online retailer agrees to
industry wide principles of protecting the privacy of online shoppers.
Do not respond to unsolicited email messages from online retailers, even if
the email appears to have come from a company you know and trust. Also, never open or download any attached
files to unsolicited email messages.
Never supply your Social Security Number, birth date, or mother’s maiden
name to an online retailer.
Many online retailers will give you the option to provide credit card
information and other sensitive information over the phone, rather than over
the Internet.
Look for a phone number and mailing address, even if you intend to complete
online the entire process of purchasing something.
Do you receive any indication whether the item you want to purchase is
actually in stock?
Does the e-store provide a printable order confirmation?
Can you track your order?
Does the company have a privacy policy? If so, does it clearly state what they will do
(and will not do) with information you provide to them?
Does the image of what you are going to purchase contain another object
(e.g., a hand) so that you can get a basic sense of the size?
Are detailed specifications for the product you are buying available
online?
Do you know exactly how much you will be paying for shipping, handling,
sales taxes, and other costs beyond the listed price?
Use a credit card with a buyer protection policy. Do not use a debit card to make online
purchases. Some people use a separate credit card just
for their online purchases, to try to isolate any problems or misuse that may
arise.
Check your credit card and bank statements carefully.
Accessibility Issues Related to Online Shopping
Cluttered websites containing lots of information,
images, and links.
Images are used heavily to sell products.
Detailed product information can be difficult to locate.
Comparing Prices and Products Online
Froogle
Froogle is a service from Google
that helps you find information about products that are available for sale
online. You cannot purchase goods and
serviced directly in Froogle. Froogle searches
for websites where items of interest to you may be purchased. It is a good way to comparison shop for items
and to get a sense of the current “street price” for something.
Froogle ranks the list of store sites it returns
entirely on relevance, not on paid placement.
Sponsored links are separated and clearly marked.
You can rearrange the display order either from highest priced item to lowest, or from lowest to highest.
You can create a Google Account and establish a
shopping list to keep track of things you have found during your Froogle searching.
An advanced Froogle search interface also is
available. With the advance search you
can:
·
Specify the sort order (i.e., best match, low
price to high, or high price to low) before you
initiate the search.
·
Specify the number of results to display on each
screen.
·
Search for all the words specified,
any of the words specified, or the exact phrase.
·
Exclude words
·
Specify a price range
·
Search within a product name, a product description,
or both
·
Search within any one of fifteen product
categories.
·
Group results by store.
·
Specify the list view or the grid view of the
results.
BizRate
MySimon
Auction Websites
eBay
Using the Web to Improve Your Local Shopping
Google Local
This search engine enables you to search for local businesses that provide
goods and services.
The results page provides the names, street addresses, and phone numbers of
the local businesses, as well as a map of the area with the business locations
marked.
Enter your search terms and your ZIP code
Catalog Searching
Google Catalog
The results page lists the catalog name, the date, and the page on which
the item occurs. Images are provided of
the catalog cover, the page on which the item occurs, and a close-up the
catalog announcement of the item.
The advanced search allows you to:
Search for all of the words entered, an exact phrase, or any
of the words entered.
Exclude words
Specify the number of results
Search only current catalogs, or all catalogs in the
database.
Coupon Websites
ValPak
Other Useful Websites for Online Shoppers
Consumer Reports
A classified arrangement of retail websites created and maintained
by Consumer Reports.
Federal Trade Commission
Better Business Bureau
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Safe Online Shopping
Contains information and suggestions for
both consumers and online merchants.
Safe Shopping Network
A search engine for locating online
merchants. Each website is rated
for safety, performance, and usability.
American Bar Association
Online shopping tips from the American Bar Association.