| Shopping for horse gifts or other gift items on the | | | | payment bycheck or money order, this is easier to |
| internetis quick, convenient and is probably safer than | | | | trace than cash. Itis probably a good idea that you |
| you think. | | | | never pay in cash forobvious reasons. |
| However, you still need to be aware that it is essential | | | | 5. Some businesses display the Better Business |
| tovigorously protect your privacy and financial | | | | Bureau logoon their Web Site, others do not. If you're |
| informationwhen making purchases online. | | | | not feeling atease, consider checking with the Better |
| If you take the necessary precautions to | | | | Business Bureau fora reliability report. The report will |
| protectyourself when shopping for those special gifts | | | | include suchinformation as; the length of time the |
| for horselovers, it should be no riskier than buying by | | | | company has been inbusiness, the company's |
| mail order orover the phone. | | | | complaint history and whetherthe business participates |
| To make your shopping experience a safe and happy | | | | in BBB programs, such as disputemediation. |
| one, the | | | | 6. If you shop online auctions, be sure you exercise |
| Following suggestions may be of help: | | | | thesame good sense you use for your other |
| 1. When shopping, always be sure that the Web site is | | | | transactions. Do yourhomework. Check the "feedback" |
| securebefore you provide any financial information, like | | | | areas of online auctionsites; most of the time they are |
| your bankaccount number or credit card information. | | | | a good source for gettinginformation about other |
| Secured Web sites will use encryption to scramble | | | | buyers' who have purchased from theseller. You can |
| yourinformation when transmitted over the Internet. | | | | always check with the Better Business |
| There are a couple of ways for you to identify if a | | | | Bureau nearest the seller for any complaints if the |
| Web siteis secure.a. A Web site address that is | | | | selleris a business. |
| secure is preceded by "https". | | | | Copyright © Mike Gorzalka All Rights Reserved |
| For example,https// letter s atthe end of http indicates | | | | Worldwide. |
| that Web site is secure.b. Look for a yellow or golden | | | | The Roundup puts out a blockbuster newsletter which |
| closed lock or an unbrokenkey at the bottom of your | | | | offerssome *great* information on every thing form |
| browser window. | | | | shopping tohorsemanship and you. |
| Web sites may use other symbols to indicate their | | | | You can subscribe here, |
| Website is secure, so if you don't see the two | | | | The Roundup [ or |
| symbolsmentioned above continue to investigate and | | | | [ |
| see if you canlocate other symbols or information | | | | You have permission to publish this articleelectronically, |
| indicating their Website is secure. | | | | in print, in your ebook or on your web site,free of |
| 2. Still uncomfortable with providing your | | | | charge, as long as the content of this article isnot |
| billinginformation over the Internet? Then you might | | | | altered in any way and the author bylines are included. |
| want to askthe business you're shopping if they use | | | | If you choose to publish this article I would appreciate a |
| alternate methods,such as the telephone. | | | | Quick e-mail letting me know where it will be published. |
| 3. Whenever possible, it is recommended paying by | | | | [ or |
| creditcard; this will offer you added protection if a | | | | DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article |
| disputeshould arise. | | | | isof my personal opinions and beliefs and should not be |
| 4. If you prefer not paying by credit card, request | | | | takenas anything more. |
| thatyour purchase be sent C.O.D. You can make your | | | | |