Online Shopping

Over the past decade or so, there's been a noticable shift from shopping in the stores and malls to shopping online. The online revolution has made purchasing those special gifts so much quicker and easier for consumers - to give YOU time to enjoy your friends, family, and precious free time.

Still have reservations? Here are a couple reasons you should consider online shopping. We've followed our recommendations with some security tips that you should also consider when you're purchasing holiday gifts this year.

1. Save Time
Probably the best thing about online shopping is that you save all of the time you'd normally spend driving to the malls, fighting the crowds, looking for a parking space and standing in lines. If you're like the rest of us - you want that hot new toy for your child this year. Why get up early to standing in cold lines with cranky customers and even crankier store clerks. Sit yourself down in front of your computer, point and click, and you're set!

2. Save Money
When stores don't have to spend extra money on their store displays, employees, advertising, etc., those savings get passed down to you, the consumer. Online shopping is a great way to find the lowest prices for the best products.

3. Avoid the crowds
Have you ever had to wait for a half an hour or more for a parking space at a mall? Or dodge through crowds of people walking through the malls to do their shopping? Why bother? Shopping online saves you the hassle of dealing with that chaos. Instead, you can choose your gifts, pay quickly, and have your items shipped right to you door. No crowds, no hassles.

4. Find better deals
When you shop online, it's easy to compare prices from different stores at the click of the mouse. We've done the checking for you with our recommended holiday items this year - just click on the name of a product and you'll find some of the lowest prices of the season.

5. Shop 24x7
Malls and stores are usually open during business hours - but when will you have time to clean the house, get dinner ready, prepare for the holiday season? Online stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sit down a few minutes before bed time, when all of the malls are closed, and finish your shopping with ease!

Security Tips

There are a few things you should keep in mind when you're shopping online.

• Use a secure browser. This is the software you use to navigate the Internet. Your browser should comply with industry security standards, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). These standards scramble the purchase information you send over the Internet, helping to secure your transaction. Most computers come with a browser installed. You also can download some browsers for free over the Internet.
  
  
• Shop with companies you know. Anyone can set up shop online under almost any name. If you're not familiar with a merchant, ask for a paper catalog or brochure to get a better idea of their merchandise and services. Also, determine the company's refund and return policies before you place your order. These should be posted on the company's Web site. We've already selected and work in partnership with well known, brand name stores to help you with your holiday shopping this year.
  
  
• Keep your password(s) private. Be creative when you establish a password, and never give it to anyone. Avoid using a telephone number, birth date or a portion of your Social Security number. Instead, use a combination of numbers, letters and symbols.
  
  
• Pay by credit or charge card. If you pay by credit or charge card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is investigating them. In the event of unauthorized use of your credit or charge card, you generally would be held liable only for the first $50 in charges. Some companies offer an online shopping guarantee that ensures you will not be held responsible for any unauthorized charges made online, and some cards may provide additional warranty, return and/or purchase protection benefits.
  
  
• Keep a record. Be sure to print a copy of your purchase order and confirmation number for your records. Also, you should know that the Mail and Telephone Order Merchandise Rule covers online orders. This means that unless the company states otherwise, your merchandise must be delivered within 30 days; and if there are delays, the company must notify you.