| Online shops, including those hosted on Blogger | | | | Some online shops are reviewed by online |
| and LiveJournals, are springing up like flowers | | | | shopping directories, which is likely to show up |
| after the spring rain, thanks to the widespread | | | | when you Google for the shop (see Tip#5). Follow |
| availability of the internet. Off-line shops have also | | | | the links of these online directories that the store |
| found it de rigeur to have an online presence. | | | | is listed on to see if there are any reviews made. |
| While the internet opens up to shoppers a | | | | #7. Look at the merchandise of the store. Are |
| wonderful array of choice and styles at our | | | | there sufficient details provided to help you make |
| fingertips, there are also cases whereby shoppers | | | | an informed selection? Serious stores should |
| are cheated by scam websites. | | | | provide the necessary information to help their |
| Here are 10 tips to help you establish the reliability | | | | customers select their merchandise. For example, |
| of online shops that you are not familiar with: | | | | does a fashion store provide specific |
| #1. Do not be anxious to purchase from the | | | | measurements of the clothes made? Are there |
| online store if you are not sure if it is safe. | | | | efforts taken to ensure that the shopper knows |
| Observe its online activities for a while. Does the | | | | what he/she is getting? |
| store update new items regularly? For fast paced | | | | #8. Read the payment details.What kind of |
| consumer goods like ladies fashion, the updates | | | | payment methods are available? Does the shop |
| are usually made weekly, if not every few days. | | | | accept PayPal or even better, are they PayPal |
| If the shop has no updates for months on end, | | | | Verified? PayPal Verified means that PayPal has |
| then, probably nobody is manning it. | | | | conducted a verification process on the reliability |
| #2. Sign Up to be on the store's mailing list. A | | | | of the PayPal account that you are paying to. If |
| legitimate store will want to garner potential | | | | you are not sure about the store, avoid paying |
| customers to be on their mailing list. After signing | | | | via direct wire transfer. Paying via a secured |
| up for the shop's mailing list, you should receive | | | | means like PayPal allows you the opportunity to |
| updates from the store. If all seems quiet, then I | | | | dispute the charges if indeed there were |
| may have some question marks on the store. | | | | problems with your purchase. |
| #3. A good way to check if the store is | | | | #9. Does the shop venture beyond its online |
| 'legitimate' is to send an email to the customer | | | | shopfront to the social networking sites like |
| service to test their response. Did you receive | | | | Facebook? Social networking sites are another |
| any reply from the store? Was the reply prompt | | | | means of garnering customers, so legitimate |
| or did it take, say 2 weeks to get to you? A | | | | shops would want to be part of it. With the many |
| prompt response of between 1 to 3 days | | | | 'Friends' of the shops out there, it is hard for an |
| (maximum) is usually the expected response time. | | | | online store to be of dubious standard. |
| #4. Another good way to reduce the risks of | | | | #10. Last, but not the least, check if the shop is |
| online clothes shopping is to purchase from shops | | | | registered with any local authorities. For example, |
| with positive feedback. Testimonials are a way of | | | | in Singapore, stores are required to be registered |
| finding out if the customers are generally happy | | | | with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory |
| with their purchase. Usually the stores will publish | | | | Authority (ACRA) and as a consumer, you can |
| the testimonials online. | | | | request for the details of the shop from the |
| #5. Google the name of the shop and see if the | | | | ACRA. |
| store is discussed by forums and websites / | | | | Armed with these tips, it shouldn't be difficult to |
| blogs. Such discussions may be helpful in finding | | | | choose the reliable stores from which to purchase. |
| out if there are any complaints and problems the | | | | Just be alert to the above, and you'll enjoy a safe |
| store may have. | | | | online shopping experience! |
| #6. Check for reviews and ratings of the shop. | | | | |