Beat the High Street this Christmas

Posted on 16th December 2007 at 17:27 Tagged under Entertainment

Beat the High Street this Christmas If you’ve had enough of the high street already this Christmas then why not think about shopping online? Not only do you get to enjoy the comfort of shopping from your own home, but by using a shopping comparison website, or shopbot, such as Shopping.com, you also know that you’ve got the best deal.

Understandably, some people have concerns when purchasing goods over the internet. We've been speaking to Shannon Clouston - chief shopper at Shopping.com - who's offered us some practical advice on how to shop safely online, and what to watch out for when you do your last minute Christmas shopping.

1. Do your homework - Use the internet to search for information. Manufacturers websites often provide detailed product info whereas shopbots such as Shopping.com should be used to help you find the best deal.

2. Read consumer reviews - High quality consumer reviews can uncover the important advantages and disadvantages of similar products. Just reading one or two reviews before purchasing should highlight any potential problems.

3. Make sure you know the total price! - Shopping.com asks all of its merchants to include the full price in any listings, but if you are buying an item from other outlets online check that all costs are listed, including any shipping costs.

4. Get the best deal - Don't overlook what the best deal is overall! Some retailers include free extras such as guarantees or relevant accessories. It can be worth spending that bit more in order to get some of these add-ons.

5. Check the return policy - Before you buy check the shop's returns policy. These policies can vary widely, though many online shops now offer 30-day money back guarantees.

6. Know the final date for delivery - Find out the latest delivery dates for the Royal Mail and Parcel Force. Shopping.com estimates Thursday 20th December is likely to be the final deadline for most postal carriers. For more information about last order dates, please visit our sister site - Last Delivery.

7. Pay by credit card or PayPal - Online fraud is rarely a problem, but to ensure safe payment use a credit card that offers purchase protection or if possible your PayPal I.D.

8. Keep your receipt - Save your receipts in case you need to track your shipments or return an item.

9. Share your experience - Help others make smart decisions by sharing your shopping experience. Write reviews of the products you bought and the shops where you bought them - if you feel like it you could even do that right here on Shopping Place!

10. Above all shop safe! - Always make sure you\'re buying from a safe source. A number of online schemes will show you if a site is safe or not. Shopping.com's Trusted Store scheme is one of them; another is called ISIS, Internet Shopping Is Safe.

Saving energy is elementary with Wattson

Christmas Last Delivery Dates 2007

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Comments

Comment by Westfalia

Posted on 31st May 2008 at 15:26

It's a very good idea to pay with credit card.
You are much safer

Comment by Jemma

Posted on 15th May 2008 at 12:11

I think that using credit cards is a mugs game. It's much better to save up for christmas using a good savings scheme.

Comment by sam

Posted on 1st April 2008 at 22:00

Also i would like to say if an extra expense comes up – one that is not within they regular budget – it could be quite a stressful thing. so one of the easiest ways to deal with situations like these is to take out a payday loan.
I tried http://e-paydayloan.co.uk

Comment by Diane who loves shopping

Posted on 18th February 2008 at 20:11

Paying by credit card gives you more protection when online shopping than other methods. It's a good idea to use a credit card to purchase things online. But pay off your bill when it comes!

Comment by Mr One Pound

Posted on 29th December 2007 at 11:34

I would add just one thing to list - freely available discount codes that many online retailers accept. Just Google the store name you're using to see what's available.

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