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