Carefree Online Shopping

Use our expert's advice for successful holiday Web shopping sprees--from guides to great deals to plenty of privacy protection pointers.

Anne Kandra

Anne Kandra is a PC World contributing editor. Her Consumer Watch column appears monthly.

'Tis just weeks before Christmas, And all through the house Not a creature is stirring Except you and your mouse.

Your browser is loaded, Your connection secure. This season no shopping malls Shall you endure.

Just click on that sweater, Choose "wrap it" and "send." Put all of your gift shopping Angst to an end.

But pick your sites wisely And learn all the hooks To stay private And steer clear of Internet crooks.

The following tips To each purchase apply. Happy holidays to all And to all: point, click, and buy!

In less lyrical words, it's the season to shop online. Millions of people just like you, who might not normally use the Internet to find the perfect gift, will attempt to do so in the next couple of weeks. And that's great. The Web is a treasure trove of thoughtful presents. Best of all, you don't have to brave shopping mall crowds to find them.

But there are many more shops online than there are at your local mall. And some of them can be shady. How do you find what you need, at the price you want to pay, without being cheated? Let me tell you.

Pursue the Perfect Present

Stuck on what to get your mother this year? Visit Perfect Present Picker or Surprise.com, where you'll find enough ideas to get you through years of holidays, birthdays, and Mother's Days to boot. Simply match Mom up from lists of characteristics, interests, and personality types (but can someone at Perfect Present Picker please explain what a "teatoddler" personality is?), and the sites suggest a plethora of pleasing products, along with their prices and links to the sites that sell them. And even if one of these sites doesn't strike gold for Mom, it might come up with just the thing for the left-handed stamp-collecting conspiracy theorist in your life.

You'd Better Shop Around

Once you decide that nothing would make little Jimmy happier than an Xbox under the tree, it's time to embrace your inner cheapskate. Plug your choice into price-comparison sites like MySimon.com, PriceGrabber.com, or Shopping.com. These comparison sites make it a snap to zero in on the lowest prices. Just enter the item you're looking for to get a sortable list of specific brands and models, prices, and links to retailer sites. Some sites, such as Shopping.com, also include customer reviews for retailers and products--helpful for first-hand feedback on products or companies you don't know much about.

While you're bargain shopping, don't forget to check discount sites like ClassicCloseouts.com, GraveyardMall.com, Overstock.com, and SmartBargains. These sites offer some truly terrific deals on everything from designer clothing to computer equipment and housewares--even Mom would be proud if she knew what a great deal you got on that game console. Just make sure you read the fine print, especially for computer components and electronics, so you know in advance whether it's factory refurbished or last year's model.

Also, many retailers have their own online bargain basements, such as Lands' End Overstocks, where you can snap up more great deals on top-quality overstocked or discontinued clothing and housewares.

Beyond the Bargains

So you've found the ultimate gaming machine for your loved one, at a great price. Don't assume it's the best deal around until you check for rebates, online coupons, and free shipping. These extras can save you big, especially on major items like electronics and furniture. Sites like BizRate.com and DealCatcher list special deals and their expiration dates, which is helpful if your schedule is as tight as your budget.

Getting to Know You

Before you commit to a business relationship with any online retailer--especially one you've never heard--spend some time getting acquainted. Make sure the company's contact information is easily accessible, and keep track of its corporate name (including any parent companies) and Web address, physical street address, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Also, look for easy-to-find links to customer service, and put them to the test by calling or e-mailing to see if there's a coherent, responsive human being at the other end.

Some shoppers play it safe by sticking with sites that have a brick-and-mortar store within driving distance, such as The Gap or Target. These companies not only have the advantage of a trusted name, but they also generally let you--or gift recipients--return items ordered online to their retail stores.

Privacy, Please

Admit it: You've never actually read all the way through a Web site's privacy statement, have you? In fact, most of us could more easily make it through an issue of the Congressional Record. Still, before you provide your personal information, it's important to understand how a company plans to use it.

To make your task easier, focus on these key questions:

1. Will the company share your personal information with third parties? 2. Can it change its privacy policy without letting you know? 3. Can you remove your information from its database?

There are plenty of sites out there that promise to keep your personal data limited to their servers. If you're not comfortable with a site's practices, take your business elsewhere.

If you're in doubt, look for a BBB Online, TrustE, or Verisign logo on the site's home page--and verify its membership by clicking the logo; it should link to a page that confirms the retailer's membership. While these endorsements don't guarantee problem-free transactions, they indicate that the retailer has agreed to a set of consumer-friendly privacy practices and guidelines.

You Want It When?

I've seen normally mild-mannered parents transform into ruthless thugs when it comes to scoring the last available "Hug-Me-Guido" doll from the toy store aisles. You might be able to avoid fisticuffs online, but that highly coveted critter is sure to disappear from virtual shelves just as quickly. Always check the inventory and delivery dates before you order if you want to be sure your present is in your loved one's hands on the special day.

While you're at it, look up the site's return policy and make a note of any time limits, required documentation, or other restrictions. Most sites that sell computer equipment and consumer electronics charge a restocking fee--which can be as steep as 25 percent or more of the purchase price--for returned items. So avoid nasty surprises by finding out if there's a restocking fee before you purchase. Also, be aware that unless the item is damaged or dead on arrival, you'll probably end up footing the bill for return shipping.

Just the Facts

Ready to place your order? Before you send your credit card info, make sure the site is secure by looking for the closed lock icon beneath your browser's window or the letter "s" (for "secure") following the "http" in the Web address window.

When you're filling out any online form, it's good privacy practice to provide only the information that's required (some sites use an asterisk to indicate necessary fields). Most online transactions shouldn't need much more than your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, or other contact information (for use if there's a problem with your order), and credit card information. If a site requires more information than you're comfortable sharing, move on. And if you decide to let the company store your information on its servers, check the site's security statement or call to make sure it uses encryption.

Thanks, but no Thanks

Before you send off any personal information, always look for an "opt-out" option. Usually this is a check box that gives the company permission to send you e-mail and promotional materials. Most likely, the company has checked the box for you to give it the permission it seeks. Unless you feel you're not getting enough spam and junk mail, be sure to tell the company to leave you off their mailing lists. You might also consider creating a separate e-mail account--perhaps on a free service like Hotmail or Yahoo--and using it exclusively for online shopping and other spam-inducing activities.

Get the Big Picture

Hang in there; you're almost ready to seal the deal. Before you check out, make sure the site tells you the total amount that'll be charged to your credit card, including all shipping and handling fees and any sales tax you owe. That's right, sales tax: Depending on where you're ordering from, and where the site is based, you might have to pay up.

Use Protection

Finally, always use a credit card--not a debit card--for online purchases; it's the best way to protect yourself from deals gone wrong. Many creditors offer extra services to cardholders, such as extended warranties and coverage for restocking fees. It's a good idea to check your cards' policies before you buy to ensure that you use the best card for the deal. And don't forget to bookmark each site you buy from and to keep records of all communications, including a printed confirmation of the transaction, just in case.

A lot to remember? Maybe. But think of the alternative: hustling for the last parking space within a five-mile radius of the mall, schlepping packages from store to store like a pack mule, standing in Soviet-era-style checkout lines. And then imagine the look on Mom's face when she sees that Xbox under the tree on Christmas morning.