Tdeae Online Shopping Made Easy (NAPSA)—TIfyou like to gift shop from home, you’ve got company. During last year’s holiday season shopping alone, online shopping totaled more than $30 billion aecording to Nielsen/NetRatings and Harris Interactive. Yet despite its popularity and ease, some people are still hesitant to shop online. These tips below from RadioShack may help. They explain some of the basic do’s and don’ts of online shopping—and they can make online shopping easier for everyone, whether you’re new to the Web or a seasoned pro. * Do compare products. Web sites, such as www.RadioShack.com let shoppers compare products online, and some even allow customers to leave feedback and rate products based on their personal experience. * Do research the return policy. Find out if you or the gift recipient will be able to return the item to a physical store or will need to return it through the mail. * Do understand the warranty. When you buy online, you can often get the warranty offered by the product manufacturer. * Do pay attention to shipping deadlines and rates. Most online retailers offer a variety of shipment methods, ranging from Standard Groundto Priority Overnight. * Do shop earlier to ensure the items you order arrive in time for your gifting event. This avoids the added stress of waiting for last minute packages that may experience a shipping delay because of bad weather or other unexpected reasons. Never give out your Social Security number when shopping online. * Do track your purchases. Always keep your receipts and Web site confirmation printouts. Also, look for Web sites that allow you to track your order online. * Don’t shop on a Website that’s not secure and don’t e-mail yourfinancial information. E-mail is not a secure way to provide your credit card or checking account information. Web sites such as RadioShack.com offer a Secure Shopping Guarantee that protects shoppers from unauthorized credit card charges. * Don’t give your Social Security number for any reason. A legitimate online retailer will not require this information to make a purchase. * Don’t skip over the fine print. Always read the privacy policy, shipping information and refund and return policy in detail. Follow this easy advice, and you’re only a few clicks away from completing your gift shopping online. For more information,visit www.RadioShack.com.
