In the past, internet shopping was just a thing of science fiction. Shopping was usually meant as strolling for hours in shopping malls that seemed never to have exactly what you are looking for. If you want to shop at home, you will need to go through mail catalogs to locate the items you need.

Of course, online shoppers still need to be very vigilant and cautious particularly in giving their personal details. Shopping online is more beneficial for modern consumers compared to conventional shopping. The following points must be borne in mind while shopping online.

1. Make sure you are aware of the exchange rate before any acquisition of international goods.

2. Know the shipping costs and the time before you place your order. Many commercial Web sites use couriers in the delivery of goods. Also, the delivery abroad could be costly.

3. Before placing a bid on eBay, make sure you check the reactions of buyers and sellers. Make this your standard as you go on eBay.

4. Always read the FAQ page carefully.

5. If the company or individual from whom you are making the purchase requests for the money as payment, say no. Using your credit card for payment would be able to protect against fraudulent transactions. Because credit card companies are able to issue a refund if there would be no proven fraudulent activity on your account.

6. See the contact page of the buyer. Check if the address is there. If not, do not deal with them.

7. If you have questions, ask. Genuine sellers are useful and there are even commercial sites which have forms of feedback from customers.

8. READ the company’s terms and conditions, as well as their privacy policies thoroughly.

9. Try searching the company in Google or other search engines to learn more about the company, comments and reviews from other consumers.

10. If you still feel uncertain about purchasing online, then you could probably try shopping in a conventional manner. You do not need to force yourself to something you are unsure. However, do not fear shopping online altogether. Finally, you'll realize that it could truly be worthwhile.