There are many many pros to online shopping - the savings, the selection and the fact the stores are always open (my favorite) so as to accommodate a busy lifestyle. Most often, the deals are certainly worth navigating the hidden charges, but it’s helpful to be aware of where they can crop up.
In my experience, the most hidden cost of all is usually shipping-related, particularly if you’re having products delivered between countries. The charges are inconsistent and nearly impossible to predict. Certain products like cell phone items and electronics hardware for instance seem to attract fees like flies to honey. I once bought a piece of electronics for $60, and it got slapped with $50 at the border plus the existing $20 shipping. Other products, however, can be hit as well. (Recently, a $15 candle was shipped to our office with a bill for $100 attached to it.) Other times, I’ve been delighted to see no charges. It’s not the most transparent process, but there’s little you can do. (I did hear of a friend who talked it over with a delivery guy once and hasn’t had any bad experiences since then – but this is an isolated incident and it’s hard to know if talking to the fellow is what did it.)
Take advantage of free shipping offers whenever possible! At eBillme, we try our best to stay up to date on what stores are offering this.
Even when you’re not shopping across the border, shipping fees can be surprising. If you’re an eBay frequenter, you know this. Sellers can demand high fees if you don’t know the shipping cost ahead of time.
Here are a few basic things to look for to give you a better idea of whether there will be extra charges involved:
* Look for the word “import” or “imported” before buying online. That could mean that the company has to order the item for you from another location and you could be charged extra for the international shipping and custom charges.
* Is the item you’re purchasing in U.S. currency? If not, do a quick currency conversion using an online calculator to see what the price difference will be. Sometimes the exact exchange rate used by your credit card company is not obvious.
* High shipping charges. Sometimes a company will charge a flat rate for shipping which could be a money saver if you’re purchasing a big ticket item.
* Handling fees. Some online retailers charge handling fees or restocking fees on returns. Knowing these in advance can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Shopping online is easy and convenient, but it’s a good idea to make sure you’re really getting the deal you think you are.
