Thursday, December 24, 1998

Tips for buying online

The Associated Press

The Council of Better Business Bureaus urges shoppers to consider these tips before buying over the Internet:

—Think about security. Unsecured information sent over the Internet can be intercepted. To guard against that, you can use browser software that scrambles or encrypts information.

—Determine the Web site’s level of security. More companies are forthcoming about security measures and privacy policies, alerting consumers as they enter the Web site. If you’re uncomfortable entering a credit card number online, call it in to the 800 number or fax it.

—Ask for the company’s physical location, including the address and phone number. Call the phone number to verify the information. And check the company’s reliability with consumer groups.

—Request a catalog or brochure to get a more accurate idea of the merchandise.

—Determine the company’s refund and return policies. That will demonstrate if the company stands behind the product.

—Don’t give out your Internet password. If the site asks you to create an account with a password, never use the same password you use for other accounts or sites. They could be used to access some of your other Internet information.

—Be cautious if you’re asked to supply personal information, such as a Social Security number or bank account information. They shouldn’t be required to make a purchase.

—Determine what the shipping times and guarantees will be to ensure the merchandise arrives in time.

—Know your rights. The same laws that protect you when you shop by phone or mail apply on the Internet. A company must ship your order within the time stated in its ads. If no time is promised, the company should ship the order within 30 days of receiving it, or give you an “option notice.”