Mail Order Shopping Tips

Always compare prices between a few different catalogs or online store to be sure you are getting the best deal. Amazon sells a wide variety of products and usually has low prices, so they are often a good place to start for comparison shopping.
When you compare prices, don't forget to compare the total price, after adding in any taxes, shipping and handling charges. Some companies have below market product prices but then make their revenue up by overcharging on shipping and handling.
Beware of free offers, especially over the Internet. Watch out for shipping and handling charges that may cost more than the product is worth. Another common marketing scheme is to require you to provide a credit card number for a "free" gift. In fine print you will may find out that in order to get the "free" gift you need to sign up for some ongoing membership agreement which will be billed monthly or annually to your credit card.
Only do business with reputable companies with which you are familiar. Web design work is cheap these days, especially with offshore labor. Just because a site looks glossy and professional, doesn't mean you should trust them with your credit information.
When possible, make purchases with a credit card so you can dispute any unauthorized charges under the Fair Credit Act.
When you pay for your purchases with a credit card, try to use one with a rebate policy for some added savings. Rebate cards may only be a good deal if you pay your balance in full each month. If you keep a balance, then financially you may be btter off getting a card with the lowest interest rate rather than the best rebate program.
Ask about the merchant's return and refund policies before you place your order.
Make sure the merchant has a posted privacy policy before you provide their site with any personal information.
Never give a merchant, or any web site, any more personal information than is necessary to process your order or other service. Be especially careful with information like birth dates and social security numbers.
Never send social security numbers or credit card numbers through email. When placing an order or using a service that has a legitimate need for these numbers, make sure the information is entered using a secure server.

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