Get to Know the Merchant
Contacting the Merchant
Financial Security
Personal Information
Keeping Your Password Safe
Shipping and Other Costs
Check the Merchant's Delivery Requirements
Be a Good Record Keeper
Shopping Overseas

Gone are the days of walking the streets looking for just the right thing – now you can shop from the comfort of your home whenever you like – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The AOL Shopping Channel is an online shopping mall which brings together some of the best known Australian and international online merchants. Whether you want a special gift, to send flowers or to have your groceries or party requirements delivered right to your kitchen, you will find a merchant here that's ready to meet your needs.

SAFE AND ENJOYABLE ONLINE SHOPPING
Get to Know the Merchant
There are thousands of online stores and some are more reputable than others. When purchasing from a merchant for the first time, invest a little time in finding out about them. Reputable companies want your business, not only today but also in the future, and have usually taken the trouble to include information about themselves and their policies on their web site. Look for sections with titles such as 'About Us', 'Company Profile' and 'Privacy Policy'.

Contacting the Merchant
Ensure that the merchant supplies you with more contact information than just an email address. Reputable merchants will display their contact details in a prominent place on their web site. Company contact details should include the company's full name and its physical location, a phone number and email address. Australian companies should also include their ACN (Australian Company Number). Look for sections on the web site with titles such as 'Contact Us' or 'Customer Service'. This information could be vital if you do not receive your ordered goods, or if something is amiss with your order.

Financial Security
Is my credit card information going to be safe? This is probably the most commonly asked question by those who are new to internet shopping. Again, if it is your first visit to a merchant take a little time to check their internet security measures. Reputable merchants pride themselves on their security and will display this information in an easy to find area. Look for a section with a title such as 'Security'. Sometimes this information is also included in the merchant's 'Privacy Policy'.

Many sites use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) which is an encryption technology that encodes your personal information as it moves from your computer to the merchant's server and finally to the bank.

Paying by credit card is by far the most popular method of payment on the internet, however some merchants also offer alternative offline forms of payment which you may wish to consider.

Only supply your credit card details when making a purchase. Do not give these details to anyone asking for them for any other purpose.

Personal Information
When you actually come to purchasing, many stores will ask you to 'Register' or 'Become a Member'. In addition to collecting the obvious information such as name, delivery address, email and credit card details, you may also be asked for other personal information. In most cases this is so the merchant can better tailor their site to meet the on-going needs of their customers. However, you should be told how this information is going to be used. For example, will it be sold or supplied to third party marketers? This information should either be available at the point where you supply it or in the company's 'Privacy Policy'.

Another way of collecting personal information is by conducting surveys and/or running competitions. Again, this information is usually being collected for the on-going improvement of the web site, but you should be told how the information is to be used.

Keeping Your Password Safe
'Registering' or 'Becoming a Member' usually means that you also receive a password and your personal information may be used to create a profile. To keep your personal details secure, safeguard your password. You should have the same attitude towards passwords as you do to the PIN or password of your bank accounts.

Shipping and Other Costs
Before placing your final order, find out about any other costs. In most cases there will be an additional cost for shipping. This can range from a few dollars to a considerable extra cost, depending on the type of delivery - courier, express post or economy post - and the distance it needs to travel. You should also check whether the cost includes sales tax and customs duty, both from the country of origin and here in Australia. In most cases the price shown on the web site will only cover the actual cost of the item and local taxes.

Check the Merchant's Delivery Requirements
Some merchants require that there is someone available to receive the delivery. This could be problematic if there is no one home during the day. You may need to consider an alternate delivery address such as your office. Increasingly, merchants are giving consumers delivery options, for example many food e-tailers deliver after hours to accommodate the needs of working people.

Be a Good Record Keeper
Ensure that you keep a record - print or save electronically - of your online transactions. You will need this information if you have a query concerning your purchase. Without this information it will be harder to substantiate any claims you may have about your purchase.

Shopping Overseas
One of the most exciting aspects of online shopping is that you have access to stores all over the world. However, when purchasing from an overseas merchant it is important to check that the merchant delivers outside of their own country. Remember that prices are usually given in the currency of the country where the store is located. To find out the price in Australian dollars use a Currency Converter.

On the main Shopping Page you will find links to Local Shop @ AOLs. These links take you to other AOL shopping channels and give you easy access to hundreds of stores worldwide.

We want you to enjoy your online shopping experiences. Our commitment is to continue to find the best merchants to reside at The AOL Shopping Channel, and to bring you ways to make online shopping even easier.

The AOL Shopping Channel Team