And today on the show, we have Betty Nichols, who is an online shopping expert, ready to give our listeners online shopping tips.0:06
Betty, welcome to the show.0:13
Betty, first of all, what are the benefits of shopping online?0:16
Well, I think the biggest benefit is that you can easily find the product you're looking for and shop for things at the convenience of your own home.0:19
The prices online are fairly reasonable, and you can order what you need at the click of a button.0:27
That also saves travelling time to retail shops, so you can spend your time on more important tasks or hobbies.0:32
So how do auction websites work?0:39
With most online auctions, you simply bid on an item and wait for another user to try and outbid you.0:42
If you're the last user to place a bid on an item, then you win it.0:48
Users don't have to make a payment unless they are the winning bidder.0:53
What's great about such sites is you choose the price you are willing to pay.0:57
And what are the drawbacks of shopping online?1:01
The biggest drawback is that you can't actually try the clothing on, and you can't see the product up close to know what it looks like.1:04
It's one thing to see a photo of it, and another when you get it home and it doesn't fit, or it's the wrong colour.1:12
That's why you have to make sure that you go to sites that have a return policy.1:18
That leads into my next question.1:22
What are some things people should be aware of when shopping online?1:24
Well, you should be aware of what people are selling and make sure it's a secure site.1:28
You wouldn't want to go into a shady-looking shop that didn't appear safe, so you shouldn't trust your online security on a website that doesn't feel quite right.1:33
You should check for expected delivery dates, shipping and handling fees, and return policies and other important information.1:42
Is it better to pay by credit card or debit card?1:50
It's important that customers understand the difference between the two.1:53
There's a difference in how transactions are processed and the protection offered to people when they use them.1:57
While debit cards can be used for online purchases, using a credit card adds one more layer of protection, even though you are paying higher interest rates.2:03
If the worst does happen and your account information is stolen, then the most that they can do is run up charges on your card.2:13
With a debit card, this would mean emptying your bank account.2:21
Well, Betty, is there anything else you would like to add?2:25
Yes, I'd like to warn people to be careful with their credit card statements.2:28
If you shop online, it's important to check your statements every month.2:33
Don't just assume that your statement is correct because you don't notice excess charges.2:37
Many times identity thieves will charge a small amount of money on your card one month to see if it works, and they may not attempt to charge a lot of money until weeks or months later.2:42
So if you notice any unusual charges, it's best to check it immediately.2:54
Oh, and lastly, you should also keep your computer secure by downloading antivirus programs or updating your browsers and securing your online connections.2:59
If your computer is up to date, you will minimize potential security threats.3:10
That's all the time we have for today on3:15
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