Holiday Shopping: How to Safely Purchase Gifts Online

Shopping online has become more convenient now than ever; however, consumers still must perform their due diligence to make sure that products ordered on the Internet are up to their quality standards. Well-known Internet retailers such as Amazon that held the biggest market share of purchases online the past holiday season, will hold its sellers to high standards of service and quality, yet other vendors might not be as trustworthy. During the holiday season, poor quality products and scams are going to be even more prevalent to take advantage of panic-stricken individuals frantically trying to cross everyone off their shopping lists. Below we list our tips that ensure you go through the best Internet shopping experience:

Vendor and product research

When browsing a product on the Internet, it is vital that you check both vendor and product reviews. You should crosscheck product reviews with several sources – if a product is being sold upon Amazon and the initial retailer’s website, browse reviews on both to obtain the most accurate representation. While reading reviews, pay close attention to the date, as, over time, products change and the latest review will provide you an idea of what that product is actually like today.

Be alert to scams

Also, increases in e-commerce may mean a rise in scams made to rip consumers off. Shoppers online ought to be wary of fake retail sites mimicking reputable brands. Scammers might produce copycat sites or apps that have names which are similar to the original retailer’s domain. When ordering a service or product online, make certain you are on the right site. Check for sites ending in less common domain extensions, or misspellings of business names, as they might be spam websites.

Learn to spot a fake review

Scanning reviews around several sites and having knowledge of how you can spot the most obviously of fake comments allows you to gain an accurate, overall product review. Relevance is a critical factor to consider. The ones describing the service or product itself and the disadvantages or advantages of using it are more helpful and accurate than general statements that affirm a consumer’s general dislike or fondness. Lastly, consumers ought to be wary of 3rd-party “fake review detectors” claiming to assist shoppers in identifying services and products which have gotten fake reviews, as they often can be biased and inaccurate.

Know the retailer’s policies concerning reviews

Fake reviews are almost unavoidable on the Internet, even on reputable domains. With that in mind, it is crucial to be alert to the review policies of the websites you are using. When it comes to reviews, a variety of e-commerce websites are going to have various policies. For example, retail giant Amazon has a history of fake reviews that are being left on its website; however, has been very vigilant in shutting down these offenders. Over the years, the website’s review policies were modified and users can no longer post an unlimited amount of reviews for items that aren’t bought on Amazon.

If you need advice on taking control of your online reputation management contact Soaring Away at (910) 471-5030.