Online shopping is something that most of us do, but as some of us will attest to, it's not without its risks and pitfalls. Shopping on the world wide web remains one of the most convenient ways of getting what you want and getting a good deal at the same time, although until the technology exists to allow us to print out what we've purchased on a 3D printer, we still have to wait until the postman (or post woman!) has delivered the item to us. Of course, digital purchases such as films, eBooks and music are available for you to enjoy instantly.
Although shopping online can be one of the cheapest ways to buy what you want and need, there are still small ways in which it could sting your bank account for more than you realise. Shopping around and comparing prices on the world wide web is much easier than doing so in real life. Not only can you visit numerous shops at once but you can also enjoy the perks of comparison websites and voucher code sites which can instantly allow you to identify the cheapest possible deal. It's not the cost of the items you want to buy that can add on the hidden fees and charges but the other costs involved that you need to watch out for.
Payment Method Fees
One of the more common areas where people get stung for higher amounts than they anticipated when shopping online is additional costs involved in how you pay. You would think that any payment method would simply be able to be taken without issue, as everything is online and no special equipment is required such as a card reader, for instance. Although things done online can be very efficient and cheap for the company involved, sometimes charges are levied by the payment provider to the business. This in turn is often passed onto the consumer. You may have experienced this by having to pay an extra £1.50 for using a credit card or PayPal. One way to avoid this is to have a number of payment options at your disposal and always stay below budget just in case.
Postage Fees
Paying to have your item delivered is something we all expect to have to do, but some retailers online will offer free postage, so be sure to take this into account when comparing prices. Some online shops will give you an option to pick different postage options. If you're happy to wait a little longer for your item(s) then choosing the cheapest option could really help to keep the costs low.
Booking Fees
When buying tickets online for things like concerts and travel you could find yourself caught out by a booking fee or two. Some sites will have higher booking fees than others, so do your research before committing to buy anything just in case you could save the money. For instance, when buying train tickets, thetrainline.com issues a £1.50 booking fee, but sites like redspottedhanky.com do not.
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