Online shopping, whether it’s Amazon shopping or grocery shopping, is a godsend in today’s day and age. Because what’s more fun than going on a little shopping spree from the comfort of your own home? However, the rise of online shopping has also increased the risk of scams, bad deals, and overall underwhelming experiences. 

This guide has all the tips you’ll want to keep in mind the next time you visit an online store. Think of it as a little checklist to make sure your shopping experience is as smooth as possible. Let’s dive in!

1. Avoid offers that look too good to be true

Sure, sometimes you might stumble upon the deal of a lifetime whilst shopping online. However, more often than not, websites that advertise amazing sales are simply trying to lure you into a trap. Think about it. All websites keep a profit, so if their prices seem to be too low, it’s most likely because they’re compromising on quality. Keep this in mind the next time you see a £10 pair of leather boots on your next Amazon shopping spree. 

But how do you avoid falling into this trap? What if it’s genuinely just a great deal? 

Well, the internet is your friend. A quick Google search of the website will help you decide if the store is legitimate. If you’ve stumbled across this site, chances are, other people have too. And they might have something to say about their experience. 

2. Do price comparisons with similar sites

Let’s face it, we’re all looking for the best possible deal when shopping online. Well, at least, we should be. 

Try not to make a purchase at the first online store that has what you need. For instance, let’s say you find the perfect sparkly dress for your birthday, and it costs £100. What if you could find the same dress or something similar for £50?

For a good price comparison, you’ll want to look at at least four or five online stores. Then, you can narrow down your options based on two things: price and quality. You might just find that the best deal isn’t always the cheapest one. But a price comparison will help you realise what’s worth buying. This is also a great way to avoid buyer’s remorse. 

This price comparison chart template will help you streamline your process:

price comparison chart template

3. Always check shipping and delivery details

We can all agree that one of the most annoying parts of the online shopping experience is finding the perfect product but then realising that it’ll arrive much later than expected. This is very common as most people don’t bother to check how long it will take for their product to arrive.

Every online store has a separate page for shipping and delivery details. It’s a good idea to go through that page before making your purchase. Will your item arrive in time for you? If not, at least you’ll have the option to switch to another site. 

4. Go through customer reviews

Customer reviews are almost always more reliable than any kind of advertising the brand is doing for itself. You’ll most likely find a review section underneath the advertised product. For instance, when you’re doing your Amazon shopping, you’ll see it if you scroll down the page. 

customer review page, amazon shopping

Look for reviews that include pictures so you can see what the product looks like. Always make sure that the product has at least 60-70 percent positive or five-star reviews. Go through the positive reviews first. Then work your way down to the negative. If there’s a recurring problem that everyone is highlighting, this is usually a red flag. 

And of course, if a website has its reviews turned off, that’s also a red flag. Go to a different store. 

5. Double-check the refund policy 

Regardless of how confident you are about your purchase, always check the refund policy before buying. You never know what you’re really going to get. This is especially true for international purchases because the refund process tends to be much more complicated. 

Sometimes, even if the refund process on an international purchase is smooth, getting your customs duty back can be a nightmare. But luckily, Duty Refunds can help with that. 

Who are Duty Refunds? 

We help UK customers get their customs charges back within just three weeks. No delays, no HMRC hassle. Just a simple form.  Find out more about our service here.

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