Online shopping traps: How can you avoid getting stung?

First step is to uninstall your shopping on from your phone. The more accessible it is, the more likely you'll be doing idle shopping. Just bookmark the site on your computer. Second step is to make a list of things that you do want and what you do need. Come online shopping time, you can just look at the list. Third is to review the product and seller well, avoiding any scams and defective products. There should be hopefully reviews and ratings of the product and the seller.

Buy directly from the provider. Shop locally. Invest in your community. Don’t send your money to overseas companies.

I’ve been stung by a fly by night Chinese company online. Never again.

Check reviews and feedback on sites and via Google. Be sceptical. Use sites like Amazon and ebay rather than typing your card details into dozens of single vendor sites. Double-check for the little padlock in your browser. Never click to a site from an e-mail or an advert. Compare prices on Amazon and ebay. Use PayPal if you are concerned about typing in your card details. Maintain a list of things that you can buy to take your order over a free postage level, that you regularly use. To reduce retail therapy spending (or addiction), window shop, but don't buy stuff for 24 hours. Then, if you still want it, get it. If you are a collector, to avoid beggaring yourself, set limits to what you collect and stick to them. Avoid time-limited deals that rush you to purchase or anything that says 'only one left'. They may be selling a warehouse of them like that. It sounds obvious, but check the details of any product - things can look bigger in adverts. Credit cards generally offer an extra level of protection, but pay them off before you start paying interest on a debt that can easily spiral out of control. Ask yourself: do you really need that? Isn't it better to have the space it would take up and the cash in your bank? Whilst earning more money makes you wealthier, so will spending less. Although it costs more, using a reliable local buyer or service may assist you when buying from abroad - research your options and see what others do.

Don’t buy anything from Temu, Wish, or SNS ads.

By being smart

Easy. Do not shop online. Explore and support your local businesses.

Many items I need are not available locally.

Yeah like spare part for your car that has to be imported because many countries don't have a car industry so buying local produce part is not possible. Car are not the only item that you can,t buy local. All vibrators are produce in China 'Patricia'. So online shopping is a must for most Item. I remember the days when you had to go through a travel agent to book a business flight. I have never had a problem with online purchases. Try buying a pair of fitting 501 Levis 33 w 30 leg at your local jean shop. They have to order them in by getting online!

All vibrators are produce in ChinaAll vibrators are produce in China

A two second google disproves that:

https://sexessories.ca/products/shunga-naughty-geisha-5pc-cream-lubricant-bullet-vibrator?variant=40959711707318

Don't believe the fake ads in Facebook. Facebook has the ethics level of a rat. They don't care as long as they get the ad revenue.

The most important thing is research. Check reviews, video if possible. People have mentioned buying direct from a vendor, but at least if shopping through Amazon, Temu or AliExpress, the sellers do not receive your payment details. If buying direct, some credit and debit cards offer a single use virtual card. Use them, Apple Pay, PayPal etc to limit possible loss. Avoid the SNS adverts.

And always follow the age old adage… if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

BertieWooster, I agree with you. Excellent cameras, 50 in Sony TVs and so on for around ¥10,000 are just too good to be true as are some so-called Amazon deals that don't seem to be connected at all with Amazon. Dodgy ads don't seem to go against Community Standards. I would never trust any facebook ad because so many appear to be untrue.

When checking reviews, read the three-star reviews. They are often the most sincere and have the most useful information about the product you're thinking of buying.

Don't buy shoes online.

Last year, I purchased four new pairs of shoes online and a shoe stretcher. I used the stretcher to make them and my old ones very comfortable. Now they fit like gloves.

Make sure the return label is free.

Simple. Buy only from major online retail shops.

If you still want to buy from a dedicated site, always google search about the site, the reviews for the site, etc.

The biggest scammers seems to be the so called " Canadian Pharmacies" that are actually scam shops from mostly India, China, Philippines or Vietnam. In case you are lucky to receive the package, the medications are either expired, counterfeited, different than requested, but most likely you wont receive any package but they will just use your credit card info until they empty your account.