The First Timer Guide to Online Shopping explanes to the first time online shopper how to securely buy from online stores.

How do I know it's safe to shop a merchant?
A safe to shop marchant has:

• A secure site that encrypts your credit card for transmission.*
• Many ways to contact them as possible - phone number, fax number, street address, email address etc.
• A stated privacy policy that protects your personal information.
• A stated returns policy and satisfaction guarantee.

Is my credit card safe to use on the Web?

If you plan to shop online using your credit card, a secure ordering system is a must. How do you tell if the ordering system is secure? Well the wonderful folks at Netscape and Microsoft have built indicators into their web browser to show whether a site is using secure encryption techniques. If you are using the Netscape Navigator/Communicator browser, take a look at the lower left corner of your screen. Depending on which version of the browser you are using you will either see a broken key or an open padlock icon. This indicates a non-secure site. If you enter a secure area using Netscape, you will see either an unbroken key or a locked padlock icon (older versions of Netscape will also show a blue line at the top of the screen). Depending on your browser configuration, you may also get a notification box indicating you are entering a secure area. If you are using Microsoft's Internet Explorer, you will get a notification that you are entering a secure area. What does this mean? It simply means that the connection between your web browser and the web site you are viewing is secure, or in other words the information being sent is encrypted. *Note: You generally will not be on the secure portion of a merchant's web site until you begin entering your credit card information, so don't look for it as soon as you enter their site. There has never been a documented case of anyone having his or her credit stolen while buying something off the Web. Even Visa and MasterCard are telling their cardholders that the web is safe and to use their credit cards to buy from a merchant with a secure server. MasterCard has even established their Shop Smart program.

Also, it is highly recommend that you know a merchant's "Full Selling Position" before you buy. When you buy in this way, you can be assured that they'll be making a sound and informed purchase decision.(Frank Fiore)

You can get more details on the online buying process at my first order. ( NOTE: This link opens in a new window, just close that new window to come back here.)

Now that you are a smart-shopper, go shop SuperBuyersMarket.com and see how easy and how much fun it is!