Tips for Shopping Online

1. Shop with reputable firms. Shopping-guide sites, such as Shopping.com
and BizRate.com, provide ratings of stores in their listings. These
ratings come from customers. If you stick with well-rated stores, you
are less likely to have problems. If necessary, ask the store to send
more information to you.

2. Find the company's physical address. Check it with the Better
Business Bureau.

3. Check return policies. If they appear to be too restrictive, shop
elsewhere. There are lots of stores on the Internet. If a store has an
outlet in your area, that's a plus. It makes returns much easier.

4. Use secure Web sites. The browser might have a closed padlock
on pages where sensitive information, such as credit card numbers,
is being entered. The URL should begin with https, not http.

5. Pay with a credit card. If you are dissatisfied with the product,
you can dispute the charge. Credit cards are safe; you have the
same protections as those offered in stores.

6. Read the store's privacy statement to make sure your information
won't be shared with others. If you don't like what you find, or you
can't find a privacy statement, shop elsewhere.