In Mongolia, U.S. currency issued before 1988 is no good. Among Indian merchants in Fiji, it's considered bad luck to lose the first customer of the day, so early-morning shoppers are advised to drive a hard bargain. In Egypt and Pakistan, haggling over prices is a complex tradition, with some transactions taking hours. Still, to some, online shopping is as intimidating as negotiating a foreign bazaar . Snake-oil salesmen hide behind anonymous Web sites and email addresses.
Warranties come with enormous legal loopholes, and unfair return policies add insult to injury.
Outright fraud and theft, although rare, are known to occur, especially if you're not prepared. If you're intimidated by online shopping, you're missing out on incredible convenience and great bargains. We think it's time you got over your e-commerce phobias . Our 12 sucker-proof tips will reduce your risks of getting burned and will show you how to find the best bargains out there. Yourself Matt Rosoff is the senior writer for CNET Special Reports.