How to Buy Gifts Online
Each season, more and more people are giving in to the trend of buying gifts online. After all, it’s a lot nicer to be in your pajamas in a warm house the week before Christmas than braving the crowds at the mall. But where do you start if you’ve never bought gifts over the Internet before? Here’s a guide to get you going.
Plan and Brainstorm
Before you fire up that search engine, give some thought as to potential gift ideas for the person you’re looking for. If you’re shopping for Christmas, make a list of people you’re shopping for, how many gifts you need for each person, and potential items. Making a rough budget can help you narrow down your options; with all the goods that are available for purchase online, it can be overwhelming without setting a few constraints first.
Get Ideas
Some of us turn to the Internet for help because we have no idea what gift to give in the first place. Many online retailers like Amazon have handy gift guides with some interesting ideas for everyone on your list. Browse some of the most popular online retailers, like QVC, Overstock, and the Apple store. Remember that any retailer you patronize in person likely has its own online store.
Check Out the Shipping and Return Policy
Make sure to take a good look at the online merchant’s shipping and return policy. On sites like Amazon with third-party sellers, the return policy may differ between sellers. Ensure that the recipient will have a generous period of time to return the gift, if needed. You can also check if the seller has a gift wrap option, if you want the package to arrive looking good.
Also ensure that you choose a shipping option that will get your gift there in time. Around Christmas, two weeks in advance is a good buffer if you’re using standard shipping. Any closer than that, and you’re safer going with two-day or expedited shipping.
Make Sure It’s Safe
When you’re doing online shopping, you want to make sure to keep your credit card information safe. It makes sense to order goods only from retailers that you know and recognize, such as the large online retailers listed above. When ordering from a site like Amazon with third-party sellers, check a seller’s customer rating and feedback to preemptively avoid any poor service.
If you’re ordering a specialty item, however, you might have to order from a relatively small site. Check out their privacy statement first, and ensure that there is a VeriSign authentication on any page where you’ll be inputting our credit card number. If a site looks dubious, consider calling the listed customer service number and chatting with a representative about the safety of your credit card information online. You could even make the order over the phone, if you prefer.