I’ve been shopping online since a couple of years. About 60% of my shopping is done online (clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, kids’ clothes, gift items).
Shopping online has been popular for over ten years now. In order to shop online, it's crucial that you know your measurements. You can also check the “size chart” of the particular vendor to see which size is best for you based on your measurement.
Make sure you are confident of the quality of the item before you buy. I highly suggest that you look at the composition of the material to have a better vision in your mind of what the garment would feel and look like. For example, it will say true to size or cut small. That way, you know whether to choose a bigger or smaller size. In terms of selection, my advice is to stick to safe colors.
In New York, or basically throughout the States, great bargains can be found. Some of the big department stores offer online shopping and ship internationally. They have sales routinely. You will find some recommended links on this page.
Shipping & Alternatives
Before you begin shopping on a particular website, check to see whether or not they offer international shipping. Most online retailers will have a page outlining their shipping policies. If they do not appear to offer international shipping, ask before you start to make a purchase. On most websites, shipping is non-refundable. If you are not happy with your item and paid a lot of money to have it shipped internationally, you might be able to get your money back for the purchase price, but you will have lost the money you spent on shipping.
If you are shopping outside of Europe, you may find that some American retailers will not ship to your location; that applies as well for some European retailers. However, you can still shop by using alternative options described below.
In the event that they do not ship to your location, or require that you must use the same address as your billing address, you may opt to use the services of companies that offer such services. Also, if the cost for international shipping is significantly higher than it appears to be if you were to ship the item locally.
Below are links to Shipping Companies:
ReShip.com - they make the process of buying and shipping products from the U.S. easy and affordable, saving you both time and money. Avoid wasting money on double or triple taxes.
Make sure a Deal is still a Deal - If you know you are going to have to pay international rates for shipping on the item you are purchasing, make sure that you are still getting a good deal. Sometimes the cost of shipping will eat up any potential savings you might otherwise be receiving on the item's purchase price. You might end up saving more money. Remember, when shopping online, whether shopping locally or internationally, the shipping rate must be calculated into the purchase price as you make your decision about whether or not to buy an item.
Shop online without credit cards
Some online shops do not accept international credit cards. Some require both the purchaser's billing and shipping address be in the same country as the online shop's base of operation. Other online shops allow customers from any country to send gifts anywhere.
The easiest way to get what you need is to use a service like PayPal. The site is free and allows you to pay for purchases with cash from your online bank account.
Simply choose the cash billing method at check-out rather than filling out your credit card information and you will receive an online bill.
PayPal is an eBay company; the service is offered by hundreds of other online retailers and is available worldwide.
How to be safe on the internet
1. Only shop on reputable websites.
2. Before purchasing anything, momentarily view that website– i.e. re-read the micro print, check that the web page has a small padlock in the bottom corner (this means it is secure) and ensure that the web address starts with https. All this means that it is fun and safe.
3. Don't email bank details and never send checks.
4. Register your cards with the anti-fraud services Verified (Visa) or Secure Code (MasterCard).
5. Don't shop online using public computers. And always log out when you're done.
FAQ
Can I order merchandise via phone or email?
Yes! Some retailers allow you to place an order in a manner that is most convenient for you. Therefore, in addition to online ordering, you may also order by phone or email. The retail customer care representatives will assist you and are easy to reach. See their contact info and hours of operation on their websites.
Can someone assist me with size selection on the phone?
Yes! Some stores have customer services that you can interact with online or you can simply call them.