What You Should Know About Online Shopping

Online shopping is one of the most convenient ways to shop.  It can also be one of the most frustrating things you do.  With the holidays upon us and Cyber Monday, there are some things you should know.

After working well over several years in specialty retail, I have had the opportunity to work with a company in one of the top e commerce call centers.  It was a great experience and I learned a lot on the other side of retail.  It just happened to be during the Christmas season that I worked there.  So please take note on the following tips.  You can help make your shopping experience a better one!  Rest assured, that everything I share with you WILL ALLOW FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED TO YOU!

BEFORE SHOPPING ONLINE:  Make a list of the companies you wish to shop with. 

MAKE AN ACCOUNT:  When you go to a company's site, there is always a place to "Sign In, My Account or Register".  Do so.  When you do this you will almost always receive a welcome email and may be provided with a special code or even free shipping.  In making your account, you will be able to set up all your information once without hassle for future orders.  This will also include your billing information.
♥ I made a seperate email for shopping only.  This way I don't have to go searching through my regular email!  It also makes it real easy to know that everything in that seperate email is exclusively for shopping only! 

PLEASE NOTE:  Make sure to pay attention to detail!  Your initial address may be different than your billing address for whichever card you use! 

WHEN PLACING AN ORDER WITH AN ONLINE REPRESENTATIVE:  Customer Service most definitely starts with the company's employees knowing and doing their job.  YOU AS THE CONSUMER MUST ALSO BE EQUALLY PROACTIVE WITH YOUR SHOPPING! Afterall, it is your hard earned dollar!  With that being said, if you happen to shop online and fill up your cart, yet don't want to use your credit card online and choose to have a customer service representative place the order for you, make sure you go over pertinent information.  Verify the correct spelling of your name and that your address and phone number are up to date in the system!  This saves a huge shipping nightmare!  TRUST ME!  Also if your name isn't spelled right it is VERY HARD to try and find you in the system!

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ITEM THAT WAS IN MY CART? IT DISAPPEARED!:  Oh the joy of retail!  This happens because of how the "system" works.  When you fill up your cart and then proceed to check out,  during that time an item may have gone out of stock.  Whether by entire item, by size or by color.
It's not yours until payed for!  (Sucks yes I know.)  Which leads us to....

WHY HAVEN'T I RECEIVED MY ORDER?:  O.K. here's where we grab the wine.  This is gonna take a moment...or two.  YOUR ITEMS DO NOT SHIP UNTIL YOUR PAYMENT CLEARS! THAT IS WHEN THE "SHIPPING TIME" STARTS.  So you opt for the standard shipping.  Let's say 5 days.  If you order is placed on Monday, you are quite naturally expecting it on Friday.  NOT!  Provided your payment clears.  In a ideal situation, you place order, payment clears and then your items are shipped accordingly.  If for some reason your payment doesn't clear OR takes a little longer due to your bank or some type of hold, this is what holds up your shipping.  When the payment finally clears is when your shipping time starts! 

SHIPPING:  In keeping on the topic of shipping, keep in mind earlier when I mentioned to be detailed about your information.  Even when not using a CSR (customer service representative) to place your order, they are there 24/7 to assist you and guide you with your online experience! DO NOT WORRY ABOUT KEEPING THEM ONLINE TO ASSIST YOU!!! THAT IS WHAT THERE JOB IS! Do you really think that cubicle is fun in a box?  No, they are there for you! 

SHIPPING TO MULTIPLE PEOPLE:  Make sure you have all the correct information!  I cannot express this one enough.
♥ READ READ READ the shipping information provided for each company on their site.  Each one is different and you should be informed.  Especially when shipping to multiple people.  Sometimes your shipping may only be paid once or you may have to pay shipping for each address that you send to! 
TIP:  It wouldn't hurt to ask for a discount or for free shipping if you are sending to several people or have a large order.  I'm just saying! ;)

These are among the most basic yet most important things to know.  Hopefully you found this helpful or maybe even learned a thing or two!  If you have a comment or question, please feel free to list it below in the comments!