Tips for safe and easy online shopping

Shopping online may be something usual for some, however, there are those who still prefer the more tangible purchase, to see with their own eyes what they are going to buy. Yes, the experience is different, they are right. The problem is that the pandemic times we live in have forced us to rely on the internet for some things.

The truth is that it is much safer to shop online today than it was before the coronavirus. However, online shopping can be a bit overwhelming: Is this really the cheapest price? How long will it take to arrive? Can I return it if I don’t like it? Will it arrive in good condition? Is it safe to enter my credit card?

And for all those fearful of the security – or insecurity – that reigns on the web, we at Práctico have prepared a guide that can help you to strengthen your ties with online shopping, especially on this Cyberday, which starts this Monday 31st and continues during the 1st and 2nd of June, when more than 600 brands come together and launch offers.

There are some really simple ways to shop online safely that you can follow:

-Google: Before you buy, google the place you are buying from to make sure it is legitimate and to find reviews about its efficiency.

-Make sure the website you are accessing is secure: How do I do that? By checking the URL of the site, amazon.com is different from amaz0n.com. Also look for signs that the site is real, such as contact phone and email, social media and return policies.

-Rights: Know in advance the return rights policy that the site you are buying from has.

-Antivirus: Check if your antivirus is up to date and use different and strong passwords for the online accounts of these sites. Do you always forget your passwords? Keep them written down on your mobile phone or computer.

-Secure Wi-Fi: Never use public Wi-Fi to shop online. Your own connection is always the safest.

-Follow your instincts: Be smart and listen to your conscience. If an offer seems too good to be true, almost implausible, it probably is. Do your research and don’t fall for it the first time.

-List in hand (as if you were going to the supermarket): In times of pandemic, get organised. Dispatches are slow, but if you stipulate in advance what you will cook at home and check what you have and what you don’t, you won’t make unnecessary purchases along the way.

– Keep your shopping list: Whenever you need to do your shopping for the month or week, you can go back to work based on it. You won’t be tempted by things. You will save time and money.

– Use the search engine: Shopping for goods is time-consuming and tedious. If you use the search bars you can get straight to the product, even more so if you are as precise as possible. Example: chocolate milk instead of just milk.

– If you have already become a regular online shopper on specific websites, it is best to subscribe. This makes it easier to keep track of the details of your order.

– Use filters: Especially if you buy clothes, use size and colour filters. This way, you will avoid the pain of seeing a pair of trousers, blouse, shoes, coat, etc… that you love, only to realise that it is not available in your size.

– Use the shopping cart as a “just in case”: Save items you like that you are not sure about buying. Leave them in the cart or as favourites. Then you can see if they go down in price or wait until you’re convinced that it’s yours.

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– Use Google Shopping to compare: Also, keep an eye on the offers. Sometimes sites inflate the initial price of an item to make it look like you’re saving more money than you really are, so it’s up to you to do your due diligence and make sure the prices they say are correct. Just don’t lose your product, save it in your shopping cart, and then search, if it’s worth it, buy it.

– Follow your favourite brands on social media: This is where they advertise their discounts and sometimes have special discounts for their followers. to access special discounts that are not advertised elsewhere. Often, brands will launch special offers exclusively on Twitter or Facebook.

– Read reviews: Seek out and read what consumers are saying about products for details or simply for inspiration for your purchase. Reading reviews can be a good nudge to hit that buy button or to look for that product from another, better brand.

Believe it or not, paying with credit is always safer. Here are 3 reasons why:

1- Use a credit card to pay, it’s safer. Payment services such as PayPal prevent fraudsters from obtaining your bank details.

2- In addition to this, another reason to prefer a credit card is because if you need to return something it is much easier to get a refund on your credit card than on your debit card.

3- Credit cards are an extension, whereas debit cards take money directly from your bank account. Once in possession of your bank details, hackers can do much more damage to your finances than with your credit card number.

On specific dates, when we know there are sales, we leave you with these 6 suggestions

-Monitor prices before the cyber: we know that at this time of year there could be sales of up to 60%. However, you need to see the price before the offer period, so that you can check whether it is a real discount or not.

-Define what you would like to buy: so that you don’t make impulse purchases during Cyberday, define if there is something you would like to buy, so that you can then compare sites and look at specific offers.

-Set a budget: Sometimes seeing so much on offer together can cause a strain on your wallet. Set yourself a limit on the amount you can buy, so you don’t go over.

-Check the shipping policy: for many retail shops, cyberday is an avalanche of purchases, so shipping is often delayed. Check the estimated delivery time of your purchase, so you will know if there are any extra delays. You should consider that in these days of pandemic, deliveries are constantly in high demand, with reduced staff and mobility.

-Check prices in shop apps: there are times when they launch special promotions in the apps, such as 15% more, free delivery or exclusive promotions.

-Read product reviews: Before purchasing the product you have your eye on, check product reviews. Sometimes they work as the best guide between brands and models.