| The best backyard barbecue store is on the | | | | displayed so I could see the differences between |
| internet. This Christmas is set to be the biggest | | | | the different models. |
| ever for online shopping despite the doom and | | | | 3. For more information some online stores now |
| gloom predictions of the retailers. Consumer | | | | have videos. |
| confidence may have disappeared from the | | | | 4. There's web forums so you can discuss before |
| downtown shopping mall but it's the online sector | | | | you buy. |
| that's set for bumper Christmas sales. | | | | 5. If you want to talk to someone about your |
| I was recently shopping for a barbecue grill (yes, | | | | purchase, many online stores invite you to give |
| at this time of year!) and I started to look at | | | | them a call. |
| what was available in the market doing a Google | | | | 6. Everything is delivered to your door. |
| search. The internet is fantastic for information, | | | | 7. The price is definitely competitive. |
| admittedly there's a lot of dross out there but | | | | 8. There no state tax! |
| once I'd filtered through the rubbish I found some | | | | OK, let's be clear on that final point. If you're |
| really good websites that satisfied all my needs | | | | unfortunate enough to live in the same state as |
| without leaving the comfort of my own armchair. | | | | the online store then the chances are that you'll |
| It got me thinking to write this piece and just | | | | have to pay the tax. I guess there had to be a |
| crystallize in my own mind exactly what it was | | | | catch somewhere. |
| about buying through an online store that gave | | | | There's been many well publicised stories about |
| me such a happy feeling about spending so much | | | | internet fraud and warnings about buying on line |
| money! | | | | but my view is that we need to get this into |
| One thing that I really hate about the traditional | | | | context. Statistically chances of being ripped off |
| store is that the range of choice is so poor and I | | | | are no worse than any other purchase |
| can't find all the top brands under the same roof, | | | | transaction, it's just that web based robberies |
| so I end up walking round until my feet ache | | | | generate more interest at the moment and sell |
| trying to evaluate the best product for me. When | | | | more papers. How many times do read about |
| I've chosen it I then have to walk round again to | | | | somebody being pick-pocketed in the shopping |
| find the best deal and when I'm finally in the right | | | | mall? Never? Yet it happens all the time, it's just |
| store and ready to make my purchase the sales | | | | that you and I are just not interested. |
| assistant tells me "Sorry, it's out of stock". Then | | | | But even as I write, the big news stories are |
| in attempt to calm me down (and it makes me | | | | about the boom in internet shopping, not the risks, |
| even more frustrated) the sales guy tries to sell | | | | and this just goes to show how safe the internet |
| me something that is in stock but not exactly | | | | is these days thanks to secure payment |
| what I want. What a waste of a day! | | | | processes like Paypal or Google Checkout and |
| If you're reading this thinking "I've been there" | | | | website security systems such as Hackersafe. |
| then maybe it's time to start buying online. I was | | | | Just like you don't walk down the street waving a |
| amazed at how easy it was and how the new | | | | wad of cash, the same care should still apply to |
| breed of online stores really understand my | | | | the internet. Remember, whether you shop on line |
| needs. | | | | or not banks and credit card companies never |
| 1. The range of choice is greater. There's nothing | | | | send you e-mails asking you to confirm personal |
| more to say on this point, every brand I wanted | | | | details or passwords. If you receive mail like this |
| was there for me to read about. | | | | report it to your bank or credit card company. |
| 2. The features of each item were clearly | | | | |