Getting the Most From Online Shopping 大家e起来上网购物

Even the most enthusiastic shopper has a bad day sometimes: You can't find what you want, every second person in the crowd seems intent on bumping into you, and your legs are aching from hip to toe. It's at times like these when the much-touted convenience of shopping over the Internet sounds like a better alternative.

Like bargain hunters in the real world, however, on-line shoppers need to be aware of the pitfalls in order to enjoy the benefits of e-commerce. For most, the main concern is the invisibility of whoever is on the other end of the transaction. Those walking into the cyber market armed only with a credit card and an active imagination need to follow a few guidelines.

The golden rule in purchasing anything over the Internet is to find out who you are dealing with. The first step is to make sure the company is legal and has clearly stated sales and security policies, which should be easy to access on its Web site.

Buyers should also pay close attention to the terms and conditions of sale, such as whether there are any hidden extras in the form of delivery costs. Of course, it is essential that the firm can guarantee the security of personal information and credit card numbers. Otherwise, you may end up being charged more than you bargained for.

Not all on-line shopping is done in virtual stores. Internet auctions function in much the same way as regular auctions, though with a longer time limit. Information about items for sale is posted on an auction site and anyone can make a bid within the stipulated time. The successful bidder is informed by e-mail. Then, payment and delivery, which are carried out by prearranged methods, follow.

There are two kinds of auction sites: business-to-person and person-to-person. In the former, it is the Web site that has possession of the goods on sale and accepts payment for them, whereas a person-to-person auction site merely provides a means by which sellers can sell their goods directly to customers.

As with other forms of Internet shopping, credit cards are usually the safest and most convenient way to pay, but in a person-to-person deal, the seller may be unwilling to accept them, insisting instead on a cashier's check or money order before sending the merchandise. In that case, some sites recommend an escrow service that will handle the transaction independently for a fee of around 5 percent of the cost of the item.

Practically anything can be bought on-line and, provided the appropriate caution is exercised, Internet shopping can be a rewarding alternative to trudging through the stores. So sit back, log on, and save the workout for the gym.

即使是最狂热的购物王也有出师不利的日子：你找不到想买的东西，每个在你身后的人都好像故意要撞你，而你的双腿从臀部痛到脚趾。这些时候，以便利颇受赞誉的网上购物听来是个更好的选择。

但是就像在现实世界买廉价商品一样，网上购物者也需留意：在享受电子商务的方便的同时，也要承担风险。通常最令人担忧的是无法看见在另一端进行交易的对象。在线购物的人仅仅带着信用卡，其余都得凭想像，因此有些事必须注意。

了解交易的对象是上网购物的金科玉律。首先要确定对方是合法的公司，其销售方式有详尽描述，并有保险政策，而且进入这种网站应该相当容易。

买方也应该仔细留意交易的条款及条件，譬如是否要负担帐面外额外的运送费。当然，最重要的是该公司必须保证能对消费者的个人资料和信用卡号码保密。否则，到头来你被收取的费用可能会大出意料。

并非所有的网上交易都是通过虚拟商店来完成的。网络上的拍卖运作方式大体与一般的拍卖无异，但有更长的拍卖期限。交易物品的信息会登在举办拍卖的网站，每个人都可以在规定期限内竞标。中标者会以电子邮件得到通知，再依事先约定的方式付款、取货。

举办拍卖的网站有两种：商品对人的交易及人对人的交易。前者，网站拥有待价而沽的物品并收取拍卖所得；后者则只提供卖方直接销售物品给顾客的途径。

对其他形式的网上购物来说，信用卡是最安全且最方便的付款方式，但在人对人的交易中，卖方可能不愿接受这种付款方式，而是要求买方先付清货款或支票才交货。因此，某些网站会建议使用一种“委托契约”（由第三方独立处理交易）的模式，另加收约货品价格百分之五的费用。

几乎所有商品都能在线购得，只要处理得当，网上购物会是除了在商家间奔波之外另一项令人满意的选择。所以，安靠椅背，开机上线吧！要锻链身体，还是去健身房报到吧！