Some things to keep in mind when shopping online.
You’ve undoubtedly seen it here and there, Black Friday is coming! (That should get more media coverage…)
There are a lot of deals on our site, but of course they are not the only ones. Worldwide discounts and offers can be found. Unfortunately, not everything you see can be trusted equally. We give you some tips for safe online shopping.
1. Way too pretty
We’ll start with a true classic: if it’s too good to be true, it usually is. This is just as true online as it is in the analog world. See the deal of your life? Then check carefully whether everything is correct (conditions, can you trust the site, …). If that dream smartphone is really incredibly cheap, chances are that you cannot really believe it. When in doubt, you can always check the reviews on platforms like Trustpilot.
2. Avoid popups
Remember the good old days of the internet? Die in the pop-ups with one wrong click, one more questionable than the other? It happens a lot less, but those things still exist. If you suddenly see a box in which free stuff is promised, click it away and forget you ever saw it. The same applies, of course, to such e-mails.
3. Details matter
There are quite a few things you can watch out for. Read the small print (another one that you can take with you to the analogue world), check the details of the website (for example, is there a company address) and see if the products and specifications have a clear description.
4. Known territory
Not sure about the site where you discovered that one great deal on a tablet? Then stay away. Well-known names such as Amazon, Coolblue, Bol.com and other Media Markets are still the best to trust. Also look for the padlock icon that indicates that a site is secure. Also, visit a site directly, rather than being redirected via a link.
The padlock icon
5. Secure payment
Here too, the padlock icon is an indication that the payment site is secured. SSL or Secure Sockets Layers are used to transfer encrypted data online and are a sign that an organization is verified. Sites with HTTPS in the web address use SSL, those with HTTP don’t. Use a VPN when shopping on a public Wi-Fi to protect your data.
A prepaid debit or credit card is recommended, but we understand that not everyone has that as standard. Furthermore, a password manager is not a bad idea (it will not recognize an unsafe website and make you think twice), as is a web filter. Avoid automatically filling in your data, so you stay alert about what personal data you share with a site.
6. Follow-up
Even after your purchases you can still keep an eye on things. Have you ignored previous tips and are you unsure about a payment? Keep a close eye on your bank account and payments. Note the delivery time and date. And when your purchase arrives, check the packaging and possibly the contents before you sign for receipt.
7. Extra tip
We started with an expression and we also close with an expression: many small things make one great. Spend, but shop in moderation. There are a lot of deals and offers on a lot of products, keep an eye on your purchases and don’t spend more than you can spend.
Read more:
Black Friday 2022: beste smartwatch deals
Black Friday 2022: Smart-tv’s
