Online shopping is the process of purchasing products or services over the Internet. It has grown in popularity over the years, as online stores provide convenience, better selection, and lower prices than traditional brick-and-mortar stores. The internet has also enabled you to pay bills and perform other routine tasks from the comfort of your own home.
Prior to the Internet, unless you used mail order, you were limited to the range and prices of goods in the stores around your home.
Now not only can you buy competitively from anywhere in the world, 24 x 7, but also frequently cheaper than shopping on the high street.
The internet has also enabled you to pay bills, renew licences & memberships and manage your bank accounts all from the comfort of your own home.
Shopping Online
General and specific guides to shopping online are available at the following links:
- Internet shopping: how to buy online
- Online shopping tutorial
- How to order groceries online
- Buying Medicines
- Buying & Selling Vehicles
- Holiday & Travel Booking
- Buying on Auction Sites
- Making & saving money online
- How to find online bargains
- How to use Amazon
- How to use PayPal
Cybercrime
Unfortunately, as consumer activity online has increased, so too has identity theft, credit card fraud and scams, collectively known as cybercrime – incurring financial losses for the victims.
However the existence of Cybercrime doesn’t mean you need to avoid online shopping. Safe online shopping is possible, provided you are aware of the potential risks and take proper precautions.
Comprehensive information instructing you how to shop safely online together with valuable advice on what to do if you become a victim of online crime are available from MAG-SHOPPING SAFELY ONLINE.
Consumer Rights
Whether you are buying online or in the high street you are protected by law against unfair trading practices.
If you buy goods or services on your credit card, you have extra protection if things go wrong compared with paying by cash or cheque.
If you have a problem with an item or a service and you consider that your rights have been breached there are several options available to you depending on the nature of the problem including making a requesting a replacement or a refund, requesting a chargeback, making a complaint and taking legal action.
Comprehensive details of all aspects of Consumer Rights, including Unfair Trading Practices and Fraud, Buying and Payment Options, Problems with Goods & Services and How to take action, are available at MAG – CONSUMER RIGHTS.
Price Comparison Websites
The increase in buying online has resulted in an increasing number of price comparison websites.
They are designed to help you to compare products and prices quickly whether it is to buy a specific product or to check whether you can save money for a regular service by moving to another supplier.
Whilst they can provide information accurately and quickly there can be risks associated with using these sites.
Wherever possible always use an independent site or one that is recommended by a Regulatory Body such as Ofgem, Ofcom and Consumer Focus.
A detailed guide to Price Comparion Sites is available from MAG - PRICE COMPARISON SITES
Banking Online
It is now easy and safe to pay bills, transfer money, manage investments and apply for credit cards safely and securely from home via the Internet.
It’s a service that’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you don’t need to worry about getting to your local branch before it closes to keep up on your accounts.
- Beginner's guide to online banking
- Banking & new ways to pay
- Transferring Money
- Mobile Banking
- How to keep online banking secure
Paying Bills and other Tasks
Routine, tedious tasks that used to mean a trip in your car, like renewing your car tax, paying bills & council tax, claiming benefits, moving money between bank accounts, selecting & booking holidays and even renewing your passport can now all be done online, from the comfort of your own home.
There are also some of the great opportunities to make some extra money and find amazing deals online.
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