 Online shopping can be quick, easy, cheap, and safe!  Today’s class: › Online shopping safety › Auction sites – eBay › Finding local goods – Craigslist › Sites for unique finds › Bargain & Deal of the day sites › Comparison & Coupon sites

 Make sure the internet connection is secure. Look for: › The picture of the unbroken key or closed lock in your browser window. › The web address on the page that asks for your credit card information begins with “ instead of “http.” › The words “Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)” or a pop up box that says you are entering a secure area.  Use a variety of strong passwords. › The best passwords are not your address, birth date, phone number, or recognizable words.

 Use a credit card rather than a debit card or check › If you have an unauthorized charge on your credit card, under federal law your liability is limited to $50.  Legitimate businesses do not ask for SSNs or bank account numbers on the Internet. › Do not respond to such s and do not click on any links they contain.

 Be knowledgeable about web-based auctions. › Familiarize yourself not only with the policies of the auction site itself and also the policies of the seller's items that you want to bid on.  Find and read the privacy policy. › Find out what information the seller is gathering from you, how the information will be used, and how you can stop the process.  Review other policies including the return, refund, and shipping and handling policies, expected delivery dates.  Print or save any records related to your online transactions.

 Yahoo! Shopping Tips: › tips.html tips.html  American Bar Association’s Safe Shopping: ›  Security Garden Online Safety Tips › /online-shopping-safety-tips.html /online-shopping-safety-tips.html

 Get Registered  Shop and Bid ics.html ics.html

 Research the Seller  Read the Fine Print  Compare Price – Policies and S&H cost  Bid to Win!  Pay securely with PayPal

  Use Craigslist to deal locally with people you can meet in person!  When buying from someone for the first time, please remember to: › Meet in a public place › Be especially careful when buying/selling high value items › Have a friend accompany you

  Handmade, personalized gifts  Communicate over Etsy with the artist/ crafter to specify exactly what you want  Follow the same precautions as with eBay: › Make sure to read the seller’s policies › Make sure the seller has positive feedback

 Bargain Sites: › Overstock.com › SmartBargains.com  Deal of the Day sites › Woot.com › Tada.com › Groupon: › Today Show’s Steals and Deals: ay-holiday_guide/

 Shopzilla ›  PriceGrabber ›

 Retail Me Not ›  CurrentCodes ›  Wow-Coupons ›  Restaurant.com