Cliffsnotes Shopping Online Safely (CliffsNotes)

CliffsNotes™ Shopping Online Safely......Page 1
Table of Contents......Page 5
How to Use This Book......Page 9
Dont Miss Our Web Site......Page 10
Prowling the E-Malls......Page 11
Finding Bricks-and-Mortar Online......Page 13
Starting Your Search Engine......Page 14
Working the search sites......Page 15
Using Boolean operators......Page 17
Using Web rings......Page 18
Finding antiques and collectibles......Page 19
Finding unusual and unique items......Page 21
Comparing at the Store......Page 22
Going to the Source......Page 24
Finding Product Reviews......Page 26
Working the Love and Grudge Sites......Page 28
Talking to Other Consumers......Page 29
Reading the newsgroups......Page 30
Exploring mailing lists......Page 31
Working the chat rooms......Page 33
Identifying Companies......Page 35
Using InterNIC's WhoIs service......Page 36
Using business directories......Page 37
Spotting phonies......Page 39
Checking with business organizations......Page 41
Talking to Merchants Directly......Page 44
Checking References......Page 45
Reading return policies......Page 47
Understanding warranties......Page 48
Giving out information......Page 50
Understanding privacy policies......Page 51
Knowing about cookies......Page 52
Understanding spam scams......Page 54
Stopping spam......Page 55
Testing Customer Service......Page 56
Using Price Comparison Sites......Page 59
Haggling with a Merchant......Page 60
Strategizing to haggle......Page 61
Making an offer......Page 62
Qualifying for Discounts......Page 64
Using Rebates and Coupons......Page 65
Finding rebates......Page 66
Getting coupons online......Page 68
CHAPTER 6: CLOSING THE DEAL SAFELY AND SECURELY......Page 72
Understanding Internet Security......Page 73
Letting Your Browser Work for You......Page 74
Choosing Safe Payment Methods......Page 76
Splitting data......Page 78
Encrypting messages......Page 79
Choosing Passwords......Page 80
Making the Purchase......Page 82
Filling out forms......Page 83
Using shopping carts......Page 84
What is an Online Auction?......Page 86
Finding Auction Sites......Page 87
Strategizing Your Bid......Page 89
Placing a bid......Page 90
Using bidding extras......Page 91
Avoiding Gotchas......Page 92
Trading Products and Services......Page 94
Picking a Shipper......Page 96
Researching various shipping companies......Page 97
Comparing shipping rates......Page 98
Knowing your other costs......Page 99
Knowing a seller’s shipping
responsibilities......Page 101
Making Sure You Get the Item......Page 103
Using Electronic Distribution......Page 104
Keeping Records......Page 106
Picking your battles: Legitimate problems......Page 107
Resolving a problem professionally......Page 108
Using Your Credit Card Company as a Resource......Page 109
Filing a claim......Page 110
Preventing Other Payment Losses......Page 112
Getting the Government Involved......Page 113
CLIFFSNOTES REVIEW......Page 117
Books......Page 121
Internet......Page 122
Send Us Your Favorite Tips......Page 124
INDEX......Page 125