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No matter what Masonic book or gift item has your interest - you're likely to find it on-line. But virtual shopping, like traditional shopping, isn't without risks. Here are some tips to help shop safely and successfully on-line.
Know who you're dealing with. If you have never heard of the seller, check on its location and reputation. Check the websites for who links to them. Are they known by anyone and have they been around longer than a couple of months? A good place to check on Masonic sellers of goods is at Bro. Paul Bessel's Masonic pages at: http://bessel.org/massales.htm. While Bro. Bessel certainly can't vouch for all listed, the list does provide useful information as to who has been around for a little while.
Protect your privacy. Provide personal information only if you know who’s collecting it, why, and how it’s going to be used.
Guard your passwords. Use different passwords when you're making a purchase than you use to log on to your computer or network.
Pay the safest way. A credit card offers the most consumer protections. PayPal (owned by E-Bay) is also a very secure and popular method of on-line payment.
If you need something by a certain date, order EARLY. Last minute shopping might be OK when you run into a physical shopping mall, but it is dangerous for holiday on-line shopping. Don't be fooled by the shipping dates given by the Post Office or UPS. The dates are NOT guaranteed and do not take into consideration items that might be special orders or out of stock items. Shop early, shop early, shop early.
Order only on a secure server that collects your credit card or other personal information. Look for an unbroken key or padlock at the bottom of the browser window and an "https" in the address bar to ensure your transmission of private information is protected.
Buy only from Web vendors who protect your financial and contact information when you order on-line.
Check shipping and handling fees. Don't forget to factor these into the cost of the order.
Track your purchases. Keep printouts of the web pages with details about the transaction, including return policies if you're not satisfied.
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lostWord Shopping Tips