December is the busiest shopping season of the year. Crowded stores, long lines and screaming children waiting in line to see Santa Claus can be overwhelming and stressful, to say the least. But there are alternatives to beating up someone's mom over that last Tickle Me Elmo.
In recent years, online shopping has become a fierce competitor with shopping malls and department stores, especially during the holiday season. No more fighting for a parking spot or elbowing people in the aisles - now gifts can be purchased from the comfort and warmth of home. Better yet, they can even come wrapped, monogrammed or forwarded to Grandma two states over.
According to the US Department of Commerce, most retail business take in approximately 40 percent of their annual sales during the six weeks before Christmas. Last year, consumers spent $26 billon shopping online alone.
Ryan Myers, a freshman civil engineering major, is part of this growing trend.
"It's just easy, you don't have to go anywhere," Myers said.
Students are using a variety of Web sites to find and purchase products online from eBay and Amazon.com. Web sites for physical storefronts like Target.com and BarnsandNobles.com are also holiday hits.
"Normally if I'm looking for something, I just Google the product and use the first three sites that show up," said Ayondela Noble, a senior media study major. "Those tend to be the most reliable."
One perk of online shopping is that buyers can usually find unique items they wouldn't be able to anywhere else for less money. Much like presents, many students also purchase textbooks through Web sites to find a better price.
Myers recently purchased some movies and a video game online.
Pat Bechtold, a sophomore business major, said though he finds cheaper products online, there are sometimes disadvantages to making a purchase through the Internet.
"A seller (may be) unreliable, and won't send your stuff on time," he said. Bechtold is also wary of identity fraud and the security of his credit card information. That is why he will be sticking with normal shopping in malls and stores this season.
According to www.learnthenet.com, there are ways to protect yourself while shopping online. Avoid using checks, as they are the easiest means for a hacker to get into personal bank accounts. Never give out your social security number either - there is no reason for a credible Web site to need it.
Using a credit card is the safest way to pay online. Credit card companies allow you to dispute any charges you didn't make on your card, and you can delay payment until the matter is resolved.
Additionally, look for encrypted Web sites that will scramble your information, preventing anyone from being able to decode it.
Another way to gauge security is by the padlock icon that usually appears at the bottom of the screen on most computers. If the padlock is open, consider the Web site as not secure. It may also be beneficial to read the privacy policies. Very often there is a guarantee of privacy or an explicit statement that your information will be used solely for the retailer.
Lastly, make sure you're buying products from a company that is based within the US. Companies outside the country are not subject to the same laws as American companies, so they are a bigger risk in terms of the privacy of your information.
Myers said the biggest disadvantage of shopping online is waiting for the order to come in the mail, and not being able to see it before your buy it. To ensure the best quality, he recommends staying within the retail mainstream and purchasing from stores you're familiar with.
There can be dangers to online shopping if buyers aren't cautious, but students say that ordering a present in their pajamas at 3 a.m. beats all.
"You can do it anytime, which is nice," Noble said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
