If you hate shopping centers or just find the experience a waste of your valuable time, then Online Shopping is for you.

The number of people shopping online is growing at lightening speed and to service the market, more and more E-tailors are offering great products and services.

It’s convenience shopping

You can shop 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, plus you can do it from the convenience of your home or office and avoid Car-park and Shopping-mall rage…
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You can buy from anywhere in the world, from your local suburb to a location on the other side of the globe.

Bargain Hunters Delight

Online stores don’t have expensive shop front over-heads. Often you are purchasing direct from the manufacturers.

Also making price comparisons is easy, so the competition online is hot for the consumer.

The Internet levels the playing field.  Here's an example;  A super market might charge more from it's stores in Sydney’s Vaucluse than they do in a suburban town like Campbelltown. But no such price discrimination is possible online.

You can Buy from Overseas

I purchased a book from Amazon.com and received the book within 3 days.

You have to take the exchange rate into account and make sure that your purchase is legal in Australia.

For exchange rates visit www.x-rates.com

What a Range

Unlike Retail stores, E-tailors don’t have to carry stock.
So often they are able to list an infinite number of possible items.

There are still concerns about risks involved with purchasing on the Internet. Everything from security of credit cards, getting ripped off with faulty products to privacy issues.

Charge it to the card

Most Internet purchases are made using a credit card. But you can check with the E-tailor to see what other payment options they have.
If you are giving out your Credit Card details make sure that it is a secure site (encryption is used). Usually your Internet browser will display a picture of a lock at the bottom of the window.

Is it safe? - Look both ways

Do your best to check it’s a reputable E-tailor. Do they clearly show their contact details, privacy statement and purchases policy.
Because you can’t physically touch the product online, be sure that you are buying what you think you are.

For more consumer facts about shopping online visit - www.dcita.gov.au/shoponline

Efficient Way To Research

Even if you are not wanting to or willing to buy online the Internet is an efficient way to research products and services. It’s also a great resource for information on just about everything. So whatever you want is just a mouse click away.

To help you find what you want online

Below we have listed some sites that you might find useful.

Happy Shopping!

Sites that provide links to E-tailors

There are many websites that provide links to other online shopping websites.  These sites are great because they provide links to E-tailors that have been tested to ensure privacy, security, reliability and ease of use.

http://shopping.ninemsn.com.au

http://au.shopping.yahoo.com