Internet shopping is as easy, and can be easier than shopping on the High Street, at a market, or through a mail order catalogue. Here are some guidelines that will help you with your purchases and reduce any anxieties you may have when buying online.

• Before buying always compare a number of suitable shops to ensure that you are getting the best in quality and price. Once you have bought something from an outlet, you don't want to discover you could have bought it cheaper elsewhere! You should also make sure that you know the full cost including carriage, duty and taxes.

• Remember that membership of certain shops can entitle you to discounts on their products and services.

• Before you shop for the first time, ensure that you are familiar with the "Which Web Trader" code of conduct that outlines the merits of a good quality secure online store.

• When paying by credit or debit card over the internet, ensure that you are dealing with a secure site hosted by a secure server. If the server is secure, a padlock will appear at the bottom of your browser. Otherwise be wary of entering your card details. There is always a risk, albeit small, of your credit card details being intercepted, or at least read in transit and being fraudulently used. This risk is no greater than when you buy over the telephone, or pay for anything and you do not actually see the card transaction taking place. There is always the risk that somebody may take your details for fraudulent use later.
  
  
• Many credit card providers offer free insurance against online fraud.

• Some websites deal very effectively with customers' concerns about remote payment. These facilitate transactions over the telephone or through a specially encrypted page on their website. You can never be sure of total safety of your credit card, but you should try to make purchases from companies that understand your concerns.

• Always print out your order confirmation.

• Remember that delivery costs can be minimised by planning your purchasing. Be specific about the delivery of your goods and give options to the carrier wherever possible.

• Find out about the company's refund and returns policy - it is important that you arm yourself with this information prior to ordering goods.

• If you are in doubt about ordering from a particular company, do not hesitate to phone them. Good companies will list their contact details on their website, so don't be afraid to call them and voice your concerns.

• Remember that when buying products from within the EC, your consumer rights may still be protected under UK law, regardless of which country's laws are said to apply in the contract.
  
  
• Be aware of your legal rights. There are basic legal rights that you have when you are buying goods or services from a company based in the UK. These rights are as specific to the internet as they would be if you were buying from a shop in your local town. The law stipulates that the goods must be as described, that they must be of satisfactory quality and also that they must be fit for their purpose, including any purpose mentioned by you to the seller.

Come-shopping have researched, reviewed and selected the companies and businesses that are featured on this website for their quality and range.

Although we cannot give any guarantees with regard to the companies included in this site, we do strive to ensure that these businesses maintain a high level of customer service and fair trading whilst being featured in the pages of Come-shopping.