Pennline Internet Provides 7 Important Tips For Online Holiday Shoppers

--- Pennline Internet (www.pennline.net) a national provider of low cost Internet service, along with the Better Business Bureau offers Holiday Shoppers a simple check list to help ensure that their online shopping experiences are problem free this holiday season.

DOYLESTOWN, PA (PRWEB) December 4, 2003 -- Pennline Internet (www.pennline.net) a national provider of low cost Internet service, along with the Better Business Bureau offers Holiday Shoppers a simple check list to help ensure that their online shopping experiences are problem free this holiday season.

With recent consumer surveys indicating that over 60% of all Internet users will do some of their holiday shopping online this year, more people than ever before will be exposed to the unscrupulous sales tactics employed by online sellers.

"While online shopping is more popular as a result of a number of factors, the best advice I can offer online shoppers is to shop around and compare prices and offers at several different sites and to make purchases from familiar sites with satisfactory track records," stated Patrick Thomson, president, "Shoppers should trust their instincts - if an offer seams to good to be true, it probably is."

Pennline Internet along with two of the preeminent organizations dedicated to promoting a safe and legal Internet commerce, the Better Business Bureau and Business Software Alliance, offers the following check list to aid in the gift-buying process:

1. Know The Online Merchant. What information is available about the merchant or its Web site? A trust mark from BBBOnLine signifies the merchant has agreed to a code of business practices. Also, knowing the retailer's address, phone number or URL permits you to check for a Reliability Report at the BBB Web site located at www.bbb.org. Be particularly vigilant at auction sites; check the feedback section to find comments about the seller based on previous transactions. The BBB also provides information about most charities that receive donations.

2. Leave Nothing to Chance. Have a thorough understanding of what's involved in making the purchase. Know whether the product offered is being sold new or used. Be absolutely clear on the price, the company's refund and return policy, its customer satisfaction policy and customer service contact, any shipping and handling charges, the terms of any guarantees, and the delivery timeframe. Print out a copy of orders placed, along with confirmation numbers and the URLs "address" of the merchants to keep for future reference.

3. Always Pay by Credit Card. Paying with cash, debit cards, ATM cards or electronic funds transfers offer less protection than using a credit card. Credit card companies help in billing disputes and liabilities for fraudulent charges are limited to $50 under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Often card issuers provide additional warranty rights, beyond the end of the typical warranty period.

4. Security and Privacy Counts. Never disclose Internet passwords and guard all personal information. Only provide credit card information in a secure environment. Look for the prefix https:// in the URL box that lists the web site?s address to be sure that the site is secure. Look for and read the Web site's privacy guidelines and its privacy protection measures before making a purchasing decision. The privacy policy will indicate if personal information will be sold or provided to other marketing concerns.

5. Be Careful When Crossing the Border. Be especially cautious when dealing with sellers in other countries. The physical distance, differences in legal systems, and other factors could complicate matters if the transaction goes awry.

6. When Purchasing Software, Make Sure It's Authentic. Read the label. Be suspicious of software products that do not include proof of authenticity, such as original disks, manuals, licensing, and warranties. Beware of products that do not look genuine, such as those with hand-written labels. Take special care to avoid sellers offering "back-up" copies. This is a clear indication that the software is illegal. Be wary of compilations of software titles from different publishers on a single disk or CD.

7. Report Problems. For assistance in resolving a dispute with an online merchant, consumers can file a complaint at the BBB Web site (www.bbb.org). Buyers suspecting software piracy, counterfeit software and/or fraud on auction sites should contact law enforcement agencies and BSA at 1.888.NOPIRACY or www.bsa.org/usa. Report cyber attacks to local law enforcement agencies and the IT provider.

Pennline Internet provides Internet access that is inexpensive and accessible through local access numbers that are reliable and have fast connections, and enable customers to browse the World Wide Web through unmetered access that is unrestricted or bothered by annoying advertisements all at a cost that is half that of other major providers.

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