When I started writing this column in the fall of 1998, doing all of your holiday shopping online was considered quite daring and trendy. However, online shopping now accounts for a sizable portion of all retail commerce. Just as "Black Friday" after Thanksgiving brings many retail stores "into the black" financially, they've coined a name for one of the busiest shopping days online: "Black Monday!"
Black Monday or "Cyber Monday" refers to the Monday after Thanksgiving when everyone goes back to work and does all their shopping online (presumably on their break -- yeah, right!)
Either they couldn't find what they wanted in a brick-and-mortar store over the weekend or, like me, couldn't stand the thought of standing in line for hours, so they shop online.
Since their workplace often carries the fastest Internet connection, many people find playing "Cyber Santa" at work too tempting to resist.
Despite a "sluggish economy," this past Black Monday should be the biggest on record, though the actual results may not get tallied for weeks.
However, if you intend to play "Cyber Santa" this year by making holiday purchases online, the following tips should assist the little online elves to make all your wishes come true. You can visit at www.exchangebuz.com for more information.
** Don't Procrastinate **
Don't put off placing your online orders until the last minute. Internet businesses operate similarly to mail-order enterprises. Human beings process your order, pull it out of inventory, pack it, and ship it to your address.
If a backup occurs, no amount of e-mailing or phone calls will cause your packages to arrive faster.
** Delivery Guarantees **
Find out what guarantees (in writing) the company makes regarding delivery.
If they don't guarantee delivery for two weeks and you didn't order until December 19, it doesn't take a computer science degree to figure out your order won't arrive on time.
** Return Policies **
Along with delivery guarantees, check the return policy. An unsecured credit card's interest rate.
Where and how do you return it?
Also, understand that if you buy something through an auction site like eBay, you risk defective merchandise with no hope for an exchange.
** Brick and Mortar **
Try to deal with companies that offer a "brick and mortar" operation to augment their online presence.
This comes in handy if you received a defective product or the wrong product and need a quick fix by visiting the store at the last minute to avoid tears on Christmas morning.
** Disaster Planning **
If something goes wrong, you can quickly recover by going to the mall and purchasing something else!
I bought 22 very cool gifts for out-of-town relatives and business associates with the click of a mouse yesterday!
This holiday season, I plan to do all of my shopping online to avoid losing my holiday spirit by fighting for a parking spot at the mall.
So remember, use common sense, buy from reputable merchants, and let your keyboard help you create a memorable holiday season.