7 Tips for a Safe and Low-Priced Online Shopping Experience
In this article (5)
The possibilities for online shopping seem endless. To buy clothing, electronics and even your groceries you don’t have to leave the house anymore. Buying online is usually cheaper than buying in store too, because you can find really great discounts and deals online.
But can you trust your mailman to deliver the package, won’t someone steal your package from your mailbox and how about the safety of online payments? Here we will share with you how to find discounts for your online shopping adventures and how to shop safely.
1. Choose cash on delivery
Well known webshops such as Lazada and Zalora give you the option to choose ‘cash on delivery’ (COD) as a payment method. In short, this means that you pay the delivery man in cash when he hands over the package to you on your doorstep. This way you only pay when you actually receive your package. Most of the time the delivery is free of charge. If you don’t want the hassle of staying at home until the postman arrives you can also let them deliver your package at work.
2. Look at reviews
Not too sure about the webshop you are about to order from? Get advice from others! You can check Trusted Company to view experiences per webshop from fellow shoppers.
3. Check payment security systems
Check if a webshop is Norton Secured and/or PCI DSS approved. The Norton Secure seal means that sensitive data is protected and the PCI DSS seal tells you that the security standards for account data protection are high. Your payment details are most likely to be secured when a webshop shows the two seals.
“The only downfall is that international shipping will take longer.”
4. Shop at international shops
European and American shoppers have been shopping and paying online for ages already. They are not hesitating to pay online, simply because it always goes smoothly. Big international merchants, like Asos and The Body Shop are not trustworthy but also have good customer service. The only downfall is that international shipping will take longer.
5. Use discount code websites
Websites like Saleduck collect all discount codes and deals from webshops for you. When you are in the check-out process of a webshop and about to pay, a lot of webshops give you the option to fill in a discount code. If you don’t have a discount code, most of the time you can find one at a discount code website.
6. Get in app discounts
A lot of webshops really want to promote their app so they offer you a great discount when you download it. If you purchase something through their app for the first time, you can count on a nice discount, for example 15%.
7. Use credit card discounts
If you own a MasterCard, Citibank or CIMB Bank creditcard, you are in luck. A lot of webshops have special promotions for customers that pay with these cards. Discounts go up to an additional 25% off. Sometimes these offers are only valid on certain days, like MasterCard’s Monday promotions.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is 'cash on delivery' and how does it work?
What is 'cash on delivery' and how does it work?
'Cash on delivery' allows you to pay the delivery person in cash when they hand over the package at your doorstep. This method means you only pay once you have physically received your ordered items.
Q.How can shoppers verify the security of a webshop's payment system?
How can shoppers verify the security of a webshop's payment system?
Shoppers can check if a webshop displays Norton Secured and/or PCI DSS approved seals. These seals indicate that sensitive data is protected and that high security standards for account data protection are in place.
Q.What are the disadvantages of shopping with international online retailers?
What are the disadvantages of shopping with international online retailers?
While international merchants are generally trustworthy and have good customer service, the main disadvantage is that international shipping typically takes a longer time to arrive compared to local deliveries.
Q.Which specific credit cards are mentioned as offering potential discounts for online purchases?
Which specific credit cards are mentioned as offering potential discounts for online purchases?
The article states that customers owning a MasterCard, Citibank, or CIMB Bank credit card might find special promotions. Discounts can be significant, sometimes up to an additional 25% off.
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