By Erin Fitzgerald, GMS, Living Abroad, LLC The rest of the world has caught on to what the globally mobile have known for a while - if you absolutely, positively must have a particular food, clothing item, personal care product or anything else? Ordering online is often the way to go...
There’s no sign of this trend slowing. Statista estimates that global online consumer retail sales will more than double, from $2.2 to $4.5 trillion USD, by the year 2021.(1)
Yet, in a time when shopping on your laptop can seem as ordinary as shopping at the corner store, it remains important to remember that some planning in advance can help to maximize the benefits of shopping online, and help to protect you from data compromise or theft.
When selecting an online merchant, you are also making the choice to trust that merchant with personal data. Research websites with whom you consider doing business. Consumer agencies, online shopper forums, and other expatriates in your community can all be great resources.
Read through customer service policies and procedures. What are your options if your item arrives damaged, or not at all? What will you need to do if you must return an item, and how quickly will you need to do it? Are there ways to communicate directly with a company representative and if so, are they available to international customers? Depending upon your situation and your needs, you may find it more beneficial to select online stores with strong customer service support over ones with lower prices.
Begin your actual shopping at store sites, rather than through search engines. Make sure the top-level URL is correct. Only use sites that have secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption. You can identify these sites by the https:// at the beginning of the address, and the closed padlock that appears on the link bar, or in a bottom section of your browser software.
If you purchase items through an online auction service, know what resources and support tools it provides to buyers in your location. Evaluate rankings and feedback carefully, and pay close attention to the seller’s shipping methods and fees.
Before purchasing streaming service or downloadable items, it’s important to know what limitations there are on their use. This is particularly true when a merchant or service is based in another country, and may not offer the same products in your location due to license or legal constraints. Costs and fees can also change dramatically. If you already have a preferred online provider for music, movies, apps, software, e-books, or console games, determine whether you will be able to continue using it. You may need to modify your current customer account, or identify an alternate service.
Just as online purchases are on the rise, so too is online fraud. As tactics have become more sophisticated, it has become even more important to be aware that your payment information can be compromised in circumstances over which you may not have a great deal of control. Because of this, you should evaluate payment providers in two key ways: How will you be protected from fraud, and what will be your experience if you are a victim of it.
Consider obtaining a globally accepted credit card, as this generally offers the most protection, and the best access to customer support. Designating one credit card solely for online purchases can be helpful. Using a prepaid or a debit card for online purchases may leave you with fewer options in the event of fraud, particularly if available bank funds must be recovered.
Choose a card provider that offers fraud protection to its customers such as temporary card numbers, additional passwording, unusual or large purchase screening via smartphone. Choose a card provider who, in the event of online theft, can quickly provide you with a new card. Review all credit card company policy documentation, and determine what local consumer laws prevail. In the event of online fraud, is there a formal procedure for reporting the theft? Is there a time limit? Are you accountable for some or all of the lost funds? What agency or ministry oversees online consumer complaints?
After you have selected your credit card provider, it is important to remain vigilant. Review your invoices carefully. Request and examine your credit reports regularly. If you suspect you are a victim of credit card or identity theft, notify your credit card company immediately.
When it comes to commerce, crossing borders is commonplace. According to e-commerce service provider Shopify, 56 percent of all online shoppers have made a purchase from an overseas retailer in the last six months.(2)
Familiarize yourself with importation laws and restrictions in your host country. Your purchases may be subject to inspection and tariffs, and you may need to pick them up at the customs agent. Know that in many countries it is against the law to ship items abroad without enclosing an invoice.
No matter where your purchases come from, choose online merchants who ship using trackable methods. While there may still be delays in retrieving a lost package, replacement shipments may also be sent more quickly. If you rely on your smartphone, apps like Parcel can keep you very up to date on the whereabouts of your goods.
When possible, use a shipping address that allows for indoor, monitored delivery. If this is not an option at your home or workplace, there may still be solutions. Some merchants offer online order pickup at their local stores, and selecting this option might even reduce your shipping costs. Online giant Amazon partners with shops, libraries, and even petrol stations to offer a service called Amazon Locker. It is available in cities in Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, the UK and the USA. Many shipping and delivery companies also offer their own “hold for pickup” service.
Being aware of the benefits and limits of online retail commerce can make a significant difference in your shopping ease. Credit card providers, government consumer protection agencies, and even clubs and organizations can all help you stay up to date on what’s new, and what’s next.
1: https://www.statista.com/statistics/379046/worldwide-retail-e-commerce-sales/
2: https://www.shopify.com/enterprise/global-ecommerce-statistics#GlobalInfographic
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