Ten things to remember when shopping online in Pakistan

Day after day, people are discovering the benefits of online shopping, because purchasing products via the Internet saves time, and sometimes money, in the case of discount websites. It also happens to be quite comfortable to access a wide range of products without having to travel anywhere. However, fate may hurt you where it hurts most. Yes! Not every shopping experience is always the best.  So, if you have not shopped online yet, but want to start using this tool, here are 10 tips that will help you shop online safely and confidently.

 

Shop at secure sites

Before making your purchase, you must be sure that it is a recognized website or shop from reliable portals and e-commerce companies.  If this is a place you do not know, see if the store has a digital certificate stating that its identity is verified by a regulatory body. Always look for URLs with HTTPS, as it is the secure version of HTTP with a security certificate.

 

Plan your purchases in advance

The idea of shopping online is to save users’ time and offer a variety of products; however, occasionally some products are available for a short period of time. For this reason, you need to plan your purchases in advance to find the product you are looking for.

 

Look for multiple offers on the same product

Incalculable numbers of products and prices are scattered around the World Wide Web. Just do not add to cart the first appealing item you saw on such and such store. In fact, before making a purchase, review other websites that offer same products. It will help you compare prices, quality of merchandise, and if you are lucky enough, you may spot a discount offer somewhere.

 

Read the privacy and security of the site

Although, it sounds paranoid, but it is important to know the security policy of the site before making any type of financial transaction.  It is worth saying that considering all the frauds and thefts that have taken place over the internet – from Nigerian princes wanting to turn you into millionaires to click fraud and identity theft. You should be aware of the risks involved when making a purchase and, above all, to protect your personal information from criminals.

 

Check the product features

Watch for the characteristics and peculiarities of the product you want to purchase. Do not get carried away with the photoshopped graphics, it is important that you carefully read the description of what you want to buy, and if you have any questions, please contact the vendor.

 

Provide only strictly necessary information

​​Online shopping portals always ask for personal and contact information – to develop their data base of target market and to deliver your goods safely and timely. However, some malicious sites can ask confidential data, such as your salary or personal phone number.  Under no circumstances answer a question that you consider inappropriate for the transaction. Providing as little information as possible is safer and wise.

 

Choose the payment method that suits you

There are different means of payments, such as wire transfers, credit card, and debit card or bank deposits. It is important that you choose the payment method with which you feel safer. There are several payment services such as Pay-Pal that allow you to create an account where you register once with your financial information. You can make payments using only a username and password for all sites. You won’t have to enter your credit card number, security code, and other personal data each time you to make a purchase.

 

Compare your shopping experience with friends 

Discuss your shopping experience in forums, on the website of the same company or on social networks like Facebook or Twitter. This process will help other buyers have information to make future decisions: choosing users who provide great service and reject those that do not meet expectations.

 

Check your bank statements

Do not wait till the end of the month for your electronic bank statement. It’s better to keep a check on the movement of your credit card, bank account, and transactions. If you find any suspicious purchase or transaction, report it to the bank immediately.

 

Keep your computer updated and protected

Online shopping is one of the processes that asks for personal and contact information for monetary transactions. Being mindful of cyber threats and viruses, it is wise to have your computer safer with updated anti-virus programs.

There is no doubt that online shopping has risks, but being well-informed about the safety precautions and common cyber threats can turn your qualms into an exhilarating and convenient online shopping experience. It is opined to shop from renowned online shopping stores in Pakistan such as Jambo.pk, and rest assured about the quality of products, timely shipment, and safest transactions.