Despite the demise of many dotcom e-tailers, online shopping has never been more popular. You can tell if this technology is in use when the lock icon at the bottom of your web browser window is closed. Shop with businesses you already know and trust.
Many retailers now have online stores.
One advantage is that some let you return merchandise to the store, instead of shipping it back. If you want to make a purchase from a store you haven't heard of before, do some research. Start with BizRate . Also, make sure the site lists a physical address, not just a post office box. Look for coupons and other discounts.