How Safe Is It To Buy Over The Internet.

[mong_2]

Im wondering how safe it is to buy things over the internet using your credit card.
for instance if i wanted to buy some bits and pieces for my system what chance is there that ill even get them and even more to the point will my credit card number be ripped off by any undesirables. i live in new zealand so would the product even get to me. ?
i wouldent mind purchasing a few cpu coolers but no one in new zealand really sells this type of thing and the places that do charge 5 times the retail price.
any body had any bad experiences buying over the internet or even any good experiences.
Any feedback to cure my ignorence would be apreciated.

[blind to truth]

well its mostly safe.Like if your on eBay,just make sure you buy from someone with good feadback e.i. no negative.Most sites have feeedback to show that they arent fake.

[barry glisson]

Check out the reseller rating section of this board then take the top rated sites and see what they list and compare prices.hope this helps barry

[BFlurie]

Ah, post your Credit Card # & we'll let you know......... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Emperor_Nero]

if you're careful, most of the time, yes. I primarily used the internet to shop for parts to build my comp which totaled to about $1600. I used www.resellerratings.com (http://www.resellerratings.com) extensively to find a reputable company. and when you shop, make sure that you see the little padlock sign on the bottom of your browser. since you live in new zealand, make sure they do ship there..and if they do, prices for shipping is going to be high so you might end up saving more buying retail.

[chuckiechan]

Check with your credit card company to see how much protection you have from fraud - and what exactly do they consider to be fraud..., plus fraud caused by a foreign distributer....

Some are better than others, but find out now not later...!

[Warthog]

I buy online all the time. Make sure you buy from a reputable business and that they ship to where you live.

Warthog

[mong_2]

i dont think ill attempt it, it seems to risky but thanks for the replys

[bhess]

I use the citibank "clickciti" card. It is internet only there is no magnetic strip or raised numbers. It gives back 1% and I quote: " Enjoy peace of mind when shopping on the internet. You'll never be held liable for online transactions charged to your account by a person who is not an authorized user"

[jjsole]

That's interesting, bhess, I'm going to look into that card.

If you're going to buy online, make sure you're on a secure site (https://...) and you have 128bit encryption on your browser (if not, update it). Many places don't ship int'l, so that may be a limitation, but I shop online ALL the time for personal and business.

However, after purchasing many things online over the past 2 years or so, I cancelled 2 credit cards so that they could be reissued with a new number. I just didn't want my card number in all of those databases in case they get hacked. Its unlikely, but...

Its a hassle to cancel them, for various reasons, but I'm going to do it every year to be extra safe.

[KAknight]

Most places also have an 800 number that you can call in and order if you don't want to order online. Usually most sites have a little lock on the bottom of your browser indicating that the site is secure.

[Richard_Cranium72]

Mong, I look at the website for one in addition to checking reseller reviews and reseller ratings.

I really like www.buy.com (http://www.buy.com) and www.computergeeks.com (http://www.computergeeks.com)

compgeeks has a lot of last years stuff, older if you will. Not a lot of high end stuff.

Any place you look, see if they CLAIM it is in stock, if it's on backorder or "usually ships in two weeks" forget it.

New Zealand is a hop stop in trans atlantic air freight isn't it?
So maybe the s/h won't kill you.
You may want to plan carefully so to avoid multiple shipping.

Consider ordering from just one really good place, then you get comfortable with them.

If it's small stuff, let ME know and I'll ship it US Mail for you, anything for a fellow GEEK. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

US Mail should not be too high,

cya,, DrVette

[ablang]

Actually jjsole, what you can do is call both of your CC companies, and file a "lost & stolen" report. That keeps your account open, and gives you new account #'s w/ matching cards. It's easier that way.

[jjsole]

That's what I mean, ablang, I keep the account, but cancel the card number (by reporting it lost).

They are actually debit cards which makes me more cautious because I don't think they have the same protection.