With the rise of online retail, shopping has never been easier! No more fighting for parking spots and waiting in long checkout lines. Store hours are also a thing of the past as web shopping is available 24/7!
However, even though it's convenient, buying jewelry online can also be intimidating. How can you tell if a website is safe? Will the items look and fit the way you expected? Here are five tips you can follow to make your jewelry online shopping experience, safe, fun and stress-free!
- Determine the Company's Reputation:
If you're shopping on a website you've never heard of, it is crucial to confirm that the store has a good reputation. Visit the website's "About Us" page to learn their history and how many years they've been in business. The longer they've been around, the better! However, this shouldn't be your only deciding factor. There are plenty of newer companies out there that offer a top-notch online shopping experience. For more detail, you can read through customer reviews.
- Make Sure the Purchase is Guaranteed:
Does the store have a 100% guarantee or risk-free return policy? You want to make sure that, if for some reason you are not happy with your purchase, you have an option to exchange or return it. You wouldn't want to get stuck with something you don't like. And what if the item comes in broken or is not delivered at all? With a high-end purchase like jewelry, it is important that the company assures a full replacement.
- Look for Detailed Descriptions and Images:
Many people are apprehensive about online shopping because they can't see the physical item before they purchase it. This is especially a concern for things that require a specific fit, like rings or bracelets. For that reason, high-quality images and detailed product descriptions are crucial to the shopping process. Items shown on a model can show scale while written details should tell you everything else you need to know. Look for size, dimensions, color, weight and special features of the piece.
- Read Product Reviews:
Customer reviews can provide more information about a piece. But don't just look at the number of stars listed next to a product. Take time to read the product reviews – positive and negative. Many times what one person considers negative, you may not. For instance, someone else may have wanted a darker purple gemstone, but you may be happy with a violet tone.
- Validate Website Security:
You will be entering your credit card information at checkout so you want to make sure the website is secure. Some websites will display a security icon at the bottom of the page. Otherwise, pay attention to the URL during checkout. You should read through the website's privacy statement or terms of use.
Now you are ready to grab a cup of coffee, kick back and enjoy shopping from the comfort of your own home!
