Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tips For Buying Clothing for Your Children Online

By Katie Wilber

Many people forgo the amazing time and money saving convenience of online shopping because of the risks. Shopping online for clothing for your children can be particularly tricky. Online shoppers aren't able to touch the materials, ask the sales person questions and there is always some residual fear about the security of online shopping.

Will the clothing fit my child? Will it be good quality? Will my transaction be secure? Will I receive the items in time? So many risks and questions. Lets take a look at a few tips and strategies to mitigate the risks and have a positive online shopping experience.

Verify The Reputation Of The Store First!

Before you even start looking, make sure the site you're at is safe. This means a secure transaction, you can tell by looking at the URL if it is HTTPS then the site is secure.

Also look for feedback about the store online. There are many review sites and if the site youre shopping at has received many complaints, chances are youll find them online. You can do a quick search by typing in the name of the store and the word reviews, Store Name + Reviews into your search engine of choice.

The Better Business Bureau is also a great place to check for complaints.

Does the store represent quality brands and designers?

Accurate Product Descriptions

An accurate product description will include what the item is made of, washing instructions and sometimes even the sizing.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Websites that allow you to enlarge or zoom in on photos are especially helpful.

Read Store Policies

What are the shipping policies? Some sites advertise free shipping however thats often limited by restrictions. You have to spend a certain amount, order during specific time period or use a store credit card.

What are the return policies? A liberal return policy makes it much easier to shop online. A standard policy will give you 30 days provided the tags are still attached to the item and you have proof of purchase, but you may have to pay for return shipping.

Size Matters

It's not so much fun to buy clothing you're sure is your child's size only to find that the size runs big or worse, small. Have their measurements at the ready so you can use size charts and make sure you're getting something that fits your child.

Once you find a good online retailer and have a good experience, share the information by posting a review online. Tell people what you liked about your online shopping experience so they know what to expect. This also helps retailers you enjoy to improve their business and your shopping experience. Everyone wins. - 17943

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