Category Archives: Shopping

Tips For Online Shopping Securely

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You can buy just about anything you want or need online. But are you shopping from home safely? There are people out there that will go to great lengths to steal your money and identity via cyber fraud and hacking. You don’t need to stop shopping online. What you do need to do is be smart about how you shop online and be cautious about which websites you go to purchase anything. Here are some tips to make sure you’re shopping online the right way.

First, make sure you’re shopping on a secure website. If you make a purchase on an unsecured website, you credit card information most likely will not be encrypted and hackers can get to it. How do you know if the site you’re on is secure? One way to tell is by looking at the URL. If the checkout page begins with https://, the “s” means it is a secure site. Furthermore, look for a closed padlock icon or a solid key icon in your browser as they too mean the site you’re on is secure.

Second, use a credit card. You can dispute charges on a credit card and withhold payment if something goes wrong with your order. The same cannot be done with PayPal, a debit card, a check, or a money order.

Third, disclose only facts that are necessary to your purchase. Many sites will require you to give information to verify your identity when it comes time to charge your credit card. This should not include things like a bank account routing number or your social security number. Do not give out sensitive information that is not pertinent to your purchase. Many sites will have an asterisk (*) next to fields that are required for you to fill out. Feel free to leave unnecessary fields blank.

Fourth, do not fall for e-mail scams. If a company sends you an e-mail saying something went wrong and your information needs to be updated, they will always ask you to go to the website and do it. Never give any sensitive information at all to a company via e-mail as it is most likely a scam.

Fifth, shop with companies located in the United States. The same privacy laws may not apply in other countries and you may be out of luck if something goes wrong with your order.

Hopefully these online shopping tips will help you as you search for the best buys and make online purchases this holiday season. Be smart and stay safe.

3 Reasons Why Market America And Shop Website Have Changed The Online Shopping Game Forever!

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When you sit back and reflect upon just how big the Market America(MA) and shop-dot-com merger was you begin to understand how the online retail landscape is going to be up-in-arms about how unfair of an advantage this presents to Market America for any non-participant in this deal.

JR Ridinger, the founder and CEO of MA, was quoted in the February/March 2011 issue of Powerline Magazine to saying that “We’re on a billion dollar roll and we will not stop until we’ve taken hold of the number one spot in online retailing.” Pretty lofty goal if you ask me, but one person you don’t want to doubt is a person who believes in the unbelievable like JR.

If history is ever a determining factor as to what lies in the future of Shop-dot-com, powered by Market America, this deal is going to be as big the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series in 2004 and as big as JR Ewing being shot in the television show Dallas back in the 1980’s.

In 2010, $165 billion was spent online. Currently, all spending trends are leaning towards MA making history in the next 36 months. Their website was already crowned as the #1 improved website amongst the who’s – who online in 2010 and occupies the #54 spot on the Internet Retailers top 100 pool. For a company without a marketing budget, they’re in elite company on this illustrious pool!

At the outbreak of one-to-one marketing paradigm during the mid- 1990’s, MA led that parade.

They were in the game of bringing people customized products long before anyone of the key players now. Apple, Amazon, NetFlix and many more of the other ‘tools of technology’, relationship based websites can’t hold a candle to Market America’s people power.

Highly influential folks like Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams, Scottie Pippen, Alejandra Sanz, Eva Longoria and Russell Simmons were all sharing in the support for Market America’s newest prized marketing maneuver – acquiring shop-dot-com. There aren’t many that aren’t totally pumped up about the innovative nature of what MA has done this time around!

3 reasons why Market America and Shop-dot-com are changing the face of online retail:

  1. 5.7 Million Customers And Growing Will Benefit– Prior to this deal, MA brought 3 million customers to the table and overnight, with this acquisition, this gigantic company doubled their target market and is now positioned to absolutely explode in the “online ocean.” Watch out Amazon because someone is fast closing in on you.
  2. Over 60 Million Products Are Now Directly Marketed From MA’s Website-According to Ken Goldsetin, Former CEO of shop-dot-com, “Somebody needed to show the world what it is like to be on the cutting edge of high-tech and high-touch, and it needs to be us.” This is quite the confident boost for any insider on this deal.
  3. Getting Paid-To-Shop On Anything You Buy– Back in November, 2009, Market America launched its paid-to-shop program. After working out a few kinks and upping their anti in the online and social shopping game, Market America has hit this one out of the park on this one. MA only had access to 35 million products, now it’s 60 million!

Whether it be discount buying, brand buying, social shopping, SEO or SEM, auto-alerts on prices that you’ve indicated you’re willing to pay; the sky is the limit with shop-dot-com, powered by Market America. This is bar-none the most electrifying shopping experience ever created.

Where To Do Shopping in China

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With a rich culture and deep rooted tradition, China is the third largest country in the world and the largest in terms of population. The exotic landscapes, world famous historical sites, and endless adventure make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and every year legions of travelers flock to the city for business and leisure. Besides the various tourist attractions that make a China trip truly mesmerizing, other amazing things to do in the country include adventure sports, eating out, and shopping.

Shopping is perhaps one of the biggest attractions that pull tourists towards the various cities in China, especially Hog Kong which is home to lavish shopping malls, traditional market places, and several street shops worth exploring. China has some great shopping places that will delight your senses and leave you totally mesmerized.

When it comes to department stores, you will find them in large numbers in almost every city in China, and most of them are located in the high street. These department stores make shopping in China real fun and easy. The class and size of these stores may vary widely depending on the area and the city. These are the best places to find the items for daily use, and you will get them at much cheaper rates than any commonplace shop or boutique. So, if you want a daily use item in China don’t feel lost, just find your way to the nearest department stores. If you are good at bargaining, you may get a good deal at the department stores.

There is no dearth of large scale and lavish shopping malls in China and they are mostly situated in the main downtown area or shopping districts. These shopping malls not only house the domestic bands but they also have popular international labels. You will find everything in these shopping malls ranging from the cheap daily supplies and household appliances to the branded clothes and cosmetics. Although bargaining does not work here, tourists and locals can take advantage of the special promotions and season sales. The tourists can enjoy shopping at these malls or simply relax during their leisure.

Besides the supermarkets and shopping malls, the business districts in the various distinctive Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Xian, and Guangzhou also offer great shopping opportunities. You can find the local products on sale at the popular business streets situated across the country, thus making it easier for the business travelers to shop for antiques and souvenirs. The popular Hongqiao Market in Beijing is also known as the Pearl Market, and it attracts mostly female tourists looking for authentic yet cheap jewelry. There are also many other characteristic shopping arcades in the business districts that exclusively sell jade articles, handicraft, silk and embroidery, painting and calligraphy, furnishings, crockery, boutiques, musical instruments, flowers or food.

If you are planning a trip to China, you are sure to have a great time sightseeing the various historical monuments and cultural sites in the country, but besides these you will also enjoy shopping at the various traditional markets and high end shopping malls in China.