Electronic CommerceElectronic Commerce

By Aaron ZellerBy Aaron Zeller

Thesis

With all the new advances in technology its no wonder people shop online. However, how do people really know their size? Many people purchase clothing online and have never tried them on. This can be such a hassle because you have to send it back and hope they will send you the right size and that takes a few days.

Electronic CommerceE-Commerce: Is the purchase of good/items online.

Two-thirds: Over 66% of people use the internet for online shopping.

Examples: ebay, Amazon, Walmart, and etc.

ConsNo Customer Service: Everyone who has shopped online has realized that customer service online is nonexistence. There is no smile at the checkout page or a place to ask a question before you checkout.

Bad for Environment: Shopping online is actually bad for the environment because every item that is purchased has to be shipped and trucked to your location. This releases more carbon dioxide and pollutes the environment.

ConsIdentity Theft: People who shop online know that every time they use their credit card they are increasing their chances of having their information stolen. 85% of people who shop online are aware of the dangers and yet they sill shop online and have not done anything to protect themselves. Cyber intrusion and identity theft are real threats.

Trust Seller? Websites such as ebay can cause problems for the buyer because people don’t really know if they can trust them. Even if the seller has a high feedback rating it still is a gamble for the consumer.

Safety TipsCredit Cards: Pay with credit cards and avoid debit cards. Credit cards provide better protection if there is an unauthorized purchase. Also, most credit card companies will call the user if they believe someone is making an unusual purchase.

Return Policy: Always read the return policy because some companies charge restocking fees.

Secure Sites: When shopping online use sites that have https in the IP address; the s stands for secure. It also means the company encrypts the information making it harder for hackers to steal your information.

Personal Information: Don’t share your personal information such as credit cards and bank account information with sites that provide prizes and special offers. Also, never use your Social Security number online and never send any personal information through e-mail.

ConclusionIn conclusion, shopping online can be hazardous to the environment and problems can occur. Identity theft can happen to anyone so taking preventative steps are important.

Works CitedJones, Graham. "Online Shopping Is Overrated." Bloomberg Businessweek. N.p., 17 2009. Web. 1 Dec 2012. <http://www.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2010/12/online_shopping_is_overrated.html>.

. "Online Shopping Safety Tips." Fox News. N.p., 26 2012. Web. 1 Dec 2012. <http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/money/2012/11/26/cyber-monday-online-shopping-safety-tips/>.

. "Working from home and shopping online is BAD for the environment, study finds Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1312843/Working-home-shopping-online-BAD-environment-study-finds.html