1. Trust your instincts

If you don't feel comfortable buying or bidding on an item over the web, or if you feel pressured to place your order immediately, maybe you shouldn't.

2. Be knowledgeable about web-based auctions

Take special care to familiarize yourself not only with the rules and policies of the auction site itself but with the legal terms (warranties, refund policy, etc.) of the seller's items that you wish to bid on.

3. Double check pricing

Be suspicious of prices that are too good to be true. Also consider carefully whether you may be paying too much for an item, particularly if you're bidding through an auction site. You may want to comparison shop, online or offline, before you buy. Make sure there are not extra shipping or handling costs.

4. Find and read the privacy policy

Read the privacy policy carefully to find out what information the seller is gathering from you, how the information will be used, and how you can stop the process. If a site does not have a privacy policy posted, you may not want to do business with it. If it does have a privacy policy, there will probably be a link to it from the seller's home page, or it could be included with the Legal Terms.

5. Review the return, refund, and shipping and handling policies as well as the other legal terms.

If you can't find them, ask the seller through an e-mail or telephone call to indicate where they are on the site or to provide them to you in writing.

6. Make sure the Internet connection is secure.

Before you give your payment information, check for indicators that security software is in place.

7. Use the safest way to pay on the Internet.

Pay for your order using a credit card.

8. Print the terms

You should print out and date a copy of terms, conditions, warranties, item description, company information, even confirming e-mails, and save them with your records of your purchase.

9. Insure the safe delivery of your item

If you're concerned you may not be home when your package is delivered and that someone may take it if it is left on the doorstep, ask whether you can specify that the shipper must receive a signature before leaving the package. Or, it may be safer to have the package delivered to your office.

10. Inspect your purchase

Look at your purchase carefully as soon as you receive it. Contact the seller as soon as possible if you discover a problem with it. Tell the seller in writing about any problems you have, ask for a repair or refund, and keep a copy of your correspondence.

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