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Exam Topic exam

F4 | Online shopping

Here you will learn what to consider when shopping and making payments online.

 

  • Online shopping is the purchase of goods through the internet. All you need is a computer, smartphone, or tablet with an internet connection. Media, clothing, and technical devices are commonly ordered online in Germany due to convenience, and the fact that online prices are often cheaper than those in retail stores. There are even online pharmacies that sell medicine cheaper than the pharmacy around the corner.

    Einkaufswagen mit Büchern und T-Shirts.

    Supermarket delivery service

    During the Corona pandemic, many people also started ordering groceries online. Supermarket chains along with specially founded service providers are now able to deliver groceries to your front door.

  • Eine Bewertung von vier von fünf Sternen ist neben einem Profilbild zu sehen. Darunter steht: Super Preis-Leistungsverhältnis, der Akku könnte etwas länger halten.

    When shopping online, you don’t have to leave your house or pay attention to when shops are open. But there are other advantages, too:

    You have access to a huge selection of products.

    Online shopping providers come in all sizes, from mail order giants like Amazon, which sell practically everything, to online specialty shops. Sometimes you can also get discounts from the small businesses, or find unique items that the big mail order companies don’t stock.

    You can compare offers in peace.

    The products offered online often have detailed product descriptions provided by the manufacturer, as well as reviews from other users, which you can all consider in your purchasing decision. You can also browse a variety of products when shopping online, with many retailers highlighting popular products or providing tips and suggestions. Virtual marketplaces allow you to browse and bid on products in order to get a good price.

    You get to choose your preferred payment and shipping method.

    You can choose whether to pay by credit card, invoice, or through payment services such as PayPal. There are also different shipping options to choose from. Companies that run both an online and brick and mortar store often offer the option to pick up the item in their store, which saves on postage costs, while reducing packaging waste.

  • Most online shops allow you to choose how you want to pay. Options include payment through credit card, advance payment, or through an invoice. Many online retailers also accept payments through the following so-called payment systems.

    The best-known online payment provider is PayPal. The company’s principle is simple: you open an account with them and provide your bank or credit card details. After placing an order, all you have to do is confirm your identity, and PayPal will make the payment for you immediately, and debit the correct amount from your account.

    The Swedish payment service provider Klarna is also commonly used. Klarna allows you to pay through invoice, by direct debit upon completing the order, by instant bank transfer, or through an installment plan by providing your checking account details.

    Another online payment system used by some banks is paydirekt. After ordering, you will be redirected to the paydirekt website to verify your identity with your login data. This payment provider requires you to use TAN to complete the transaction.

    Regardless which payment method you choose, make sure to use a secure connection while paying online. You can recognize a secure connection by the https at the front of the web address, or if you see a lock symbol in your browser’s address bar.

  • Online payment services are accepted by most online retailers as a payment option. While this option is very convenient, it is not without possible risks.

    Pros: fast, free, and convenient

    Setting up your account is quick and usually free. Transactions can also be completed very quickly, and you no longer have to resubmit your bank details every time you make a purchase.

    Cons: less control

    The payment services act as third-party providers, and since your payment data is stored on their servers, it is difficult for you to have direct access. When choosing your preferred payment system, make sure to pay special attention to the terms and conditions.

    Since payment services have your account details on file, it is particularly important that they protect your data well. Make sure to use two-factor authentication whenever possible, and always choose a strong password.

  • When shopping online, you should consider the following topics in order to find reputable retailers:

    The company information with the terms and conditions should be easy to find, and a contact address should of course be readily available.

    It should be clear what shipping costs will apply and what other fees will be assessed. Before you confirm your purchase, make sure you know exactly what the total price of your order will be.

    A seal of approval indicates safety and reliability. The most important seals in Europe are Trusted Shops, TÜV Süd Safer Shopping, Internet Privacy Standards, and EHI Geprüfter Onlineshop. A lack of a seal of approval does not necessarily indicate of a lack of seriousness, as smaller retailers can sometimes not afford the fees associated with the approval process. Therefore, pay attention to the following criteria as well.

    Comments and reviews from other buyers can also help you find out if the online seller is reputable, but you need to keep in mind that positive reviews can be faked or purchased. Consistent five-star reviews containing prominent advertising expressions can be an indication of this.

    Whether a product appears first after running a search has nothing to do with its quality or price. The first result is not necessarily the best either, as prominent placement at the top of the search list can be bought by providers. As with all online retailers, the search results can be filtered according to your own preferences and criteria (e.g. price).

    There are some offers that are only valid with the purchase of a subscription in return. Pay close attention to what you’re ordering before confirming a purchase. Most trial subscriptions can be cancelled within a fixed period of time, but if you miss the deadline, they often automatically renew with new terms you might not be expecting.

    The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) offers the SOS card, which is an online checklist to go through when shopping online. The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center offers a fake shop finder to check if individual shops actually exist.

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Progress Level 1 – Business