Did you find yourself shopping more online these days? You are not the only one! According to a Parade Magazine study, 85% of internet surfers are also making purchases online. With gas prices climbing, this trend is expected to continue. But how do you know you are really getting the best deal and the best product? And how can you be sure you are protecting yourself online? Here are some tips to help you save money and stay safe:

1.  Check out shopping comparison sites for a quick comparison of prices. Basically, these sites are search engines for gathering prices of products from a variety of merchants. Enter the product’s model number if available, and be as specific as you can about its features. This way you can be sure you are comparing the same product. Examples include PriceGrabber, Shopzilla, and MySimon. Also, RoboShopper will do a meta-search of several comparison sites.

2.  Sign up for Ebates and Big Crumbs to get money back for every purchase at participating online retailers. Both sites have huge lists of merchants you can buy from, and both send you a rebate on your purchase via PayPal. (These sites allow you to search by either product or retailer, but I have had better luck finding the retailer myself and then just shopping through these sites.) I also check for rewards at MyPoints, as well as other sites with ‘Get Paid To Shop’ programs.

3.  Check coupon sites for current codes that can be used for your purchases. These codes can be by merchant or by product, so be sure to search for both. These coupon sites lead you to retailers, rather than selling you the merchandise directly. You can find relevant coupons by searching on Google for the merchant/product name AND (coupon OR promo*) AND code.

4.  Try auction sites, such as eBay, for great deals on used (or sometimes new) items. (FYI- Big Crumbs and MyPoints both reward you for shopping eBay via their sites.) You can even buy gift cards on eBay! Just be sure to read the description carefully and ask any questions of the seller before you buy. Also, check out the seller’s feedback.

5.  Be sure to factor in shipping & handling fees when comparing prices. Some sites low-ball on the published price to attract more buyers, but tack on excessive fees.

6.  Buy from a site that does not charge sales tax in your state, if possible. Online shopping is tax-free if a merchant does not do business in your state, so be sure to factor that into your price comparisons.

7.  Check the site’s return policy before buying. Beware of limited return policies, or “restocking fees.” Also note who will be responsible for return shipping.

8.  If you are shopping at a site for the first time, be sure to check out the merchant’s reputation. You can do this on Google by typing: “merchant name” AND (review OR feedback). To see if a company has any complaints listed against it, go to the Better Business Bureau website.

9.  Know what you are buying. Read the product’s description carefully to be sure you are getting what you expect. You can find reviews of all types of products by doing a Google search for: “your product” AND (reviews OR feedback). Amazon also has reviews of many products. If you have any questions, be sure to contact customer support before you buy.

10. When checking out with a credit card, be sure that the site address starts with “https://” or “shttp://”. This indicates it is a secure site and your information should be transmitted safely.

1.  Check out shopping comparison sites for a quick comparison of prices. Basically, these sites are search engines for gathering prices of products from a variety of merchants. Enter the product’s model number if available, and be as specific as you can about its features. This way you can be sure you are comparing the same product. Examples include PriceGrabber, Shopzilla, and MySimon. Also, RoboShopper will do a meta-search of several comparison sites.

2.  Sign up for Ebates and Big Crumbs to get money back for every purchase at participating online retailers. Both sites have huge lists of merchants you can buy from, and both send you a rebate on your purchase via PayPal. (These sites allow you to search by either product or retailer, but I have had better luck finding the retailer myself and then just shopping through these sites.) I also check for rewards at MyPoints, as well as other sites with ‘Get Paid To Shop’ programs.

3.  Check coupon sites for current codes that can be used for your purchases. These codes can be by merchant or by product, so be sure to search for both. These coupon sites lead you to retailers, rather than selling you the merchandise directly. You can find relevant coupons by searching on Google for the merchant/product name AND (coupon OR promo*) AND code.

4.  Try auction sites, such as eBay, for great deals on used (or sometimes new) items. (FYI- Big Crumbs and MyPoints both reward you for shopping eBay via their sites.) You can even buy gift cards on eBay! Just be sure to read the description carefully and ask any questions of the seller before you buy. Also, check out the seller’s feedback.

5.  Be sure to factor in shipping & handling fees when comparing prices. Some sites low-ball on the published price to attract more buyers, but tack on excessive fees.

6.  Buy from a site that does not charge sales tax in your state, if possible. Online shopping is tax-free if a merchant does not do business in your state, so be sure to factor that into your price comparisons.

7.  Check the site’s return policy before buying. Beware of limited return policies, or “restocking fees.” Also note who will be responsible for return shipping.

8.  If you are shopping at a site for the first time, be sure to check out the merchant’s reputation. You can do this on Google by typing: “merchant name” AND (review OR feedback). To see if a company has any complaints listed against it, go to the Better Business Bureau website.

9.  Know what you are buying. Read the product’s description carefully to be sure you are getting what you expect. You can find reviews of all types of products by doing a Google search for: “your product” AND (reviews OR feedback). Amazon also has reviews of many products. If you have any questions, be sure to contact customer support before you buy.

10. When checking out with a credit card, be sure that the site address starts with “https://” or “shttp://”. This indicates it is a secure site and your information should be transmitted safely.