A lot of us are at home more these days, and let’s be honest – we’re all buying more online because of it. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a massive increase in shopping online. With some working from home, the need to leave the house every day has decreased. The need to pick up milk on the way home from work is becoming a thing of the past. That’s all well and good if you have the money to do so, but what happens when the direct debit bounces because of another online purchase?
It’s easy to shop online these days, you can do it on a mobile device, tablet, PC, etc. It is too easy! There are a lot of websites where you can opt to save your card details or options like Google Pay, Apple Pay and Shop Pay, not to mention Paypal – meaning you could buy something faster than it takes to boil a kettle. We’re not saying online shopping is bad, but that we need to be more mindful of how and why we do it.Read on for some tips to help you to cut back and shop safely online.

Cut down on costs

1. Remove

If you have your debit or credit cards linked to an online shopping account/website, remove it – take back control by adding more time to consider your purchases.

2. Unsubscribe!

Many of us only visit these websites because we’re on their mailing list. We often click on the website automatically, especially when there’s a sale. Click unsubscribe and see the difference it makes to your free time and your bank balance!

3. ‘Pre-buy grace period’;

Do you really need it, or is it more of a want? If so, will you still want it in 24/48/72 hours? Chances are that the impulse will have passed, and you may not want it anymore.

4. Shop Your Stash

This has become a trend over recent years among money-savvy bloggers. They are trying to save money by using many different products bought previously but not yet used. Some products haven’t even been touched or still have tags on. Can you say you have worn everything in your wardrobe at least once? You might find a hidden gem at the back of a drawer that you’d totally forgotten about.

5. Make a list

Make a list of things you actually need and shop for these things first. Do you have a friend’s birthday coming up that you could buy them a present instead of that item you don’t need right this second? This will help to avoid any unnecessary purchases!

6. Set yourself a goal

Set goals, big or small – such as purchasing a newer car or investing in a proper winter coat. This will reduce your need to splurge, and you’ll feel all the better when you reach your savings goal.

7. Customs Charge, VAT & Free Shipping

If your goods have an intrinsic value (the value of the goods alone, excluding transport, insurance and handling charges) of more than €150, you will have to pay Customs Duty. Be wary of “free shipping”; this won’t cover any customs or VAT charges that are due if they come from outside the EU unless specified by the company. Any order (coming from outside the EU/EEA) is liable to customs charges and VAT at 23%.

Shop Safely

1. Research

Always research the background of unfamiliar web traders before purchasing (via search sites like whois.com, for example).

2. Reviews

Check the reviews of the website/shop. Check on known review sites such as Amazon Customer Review, Trustpilot, Which?, Google My Business, and Facebook Ratings and Reviews.

3. Search engine ranking

Don’t be fooled by a prominent search engine ranking. Web fraudsters may pay for search advertising so their sites appear at the top of search results.

4. Terms and Conditions

Read the Terms and Conditions of sale and purchase on all websites before buying anything, and check the delivery and shipping conditions before you pay for your product.

5. Scams

Watch out for tell-tale signs of scams: promises of huge rewards such as lottery winnings, messages stating urgent action is required to claim your winnings, and requests for upfront payment or private information. Remember: if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

To help with catching online scams Munster Technological University Cyber Skills in collaboration with Scam Adviser and An Garda Síochána have developed a security tool. ‘CheckMyLink‘ checks that the website someone is about to buy from is genuine and free from malware.

6. Personal Information

Do not disclose personal information that is not necessary to complete a financial transaction online. Certain personal details (like your date of birth) and your credit card number place you at risk of identity theft.

7. Secure Website

When completing a transaction online, use a secure website to enter credit card information. Here is what to look for:

• 🔒 A locked (closed) padlock is an icon that indicates a secure internet connection.
• A secure website will have a URL address that begins with “https://”.
  These details indicate that the website uses an encrypted protocol to increase the security of data transfer and keep your personal details safe.

Online shopping, although very useful and has many perks, has downsides too. Along with the security tips outlined above, shopping online can also become an outlet for someone experiencing mental or financial hardship. Many of us will experience mental health difficulties due to loneliness, isolation, stress, fear and financial worries, among other things. Check out our blog for help and tips for online shipping linking to mental health. 

Contact Us

Do you have a tip or life hack that helps you with your online spending? Let us know on our social channels @MABSinfo on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram.

You can contact your local office here or call the MABS Helpline on 0818 07 2000, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 8pm.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure this information is current and correct. The details of each case can be unique. As a result, the outcome can be different to what has been described in this blog.

Note: We welcome references to and use of the content in this blog. However, please reference MABS and link said content if you choose to do so.