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