Your Favourite Shopping Directory

For the best in Australian secure online shops and shopping add ShopSafe.com.au to your favourites now. Safe online shopping starts here.

And now - Your Favourite Australian Travel Directory

For the best in Australian travel destinations and information see Australia.ShopSafe.com.au.

Newsletter

We do not send a newsletter but you can send us your email address and we will contact you when we do:

Worldwide Safe Online Shopping

As well as safe online shopping in Australia you can visit other Shopsafe sites worldwide:

• You are at Shopsafe Australia
  www.shopsafe.com.au
• Shopsafe America
  www.shopsafe.com
• Shopsafe New Zealand
  www.shopsafe.co.nz
• Shopsafe UK
  www.shopsafe.co.uk
• Shopsafe For Business
  www.shopsafe.biz

You can view today's Alexa worldwide traffic rankings for ShopSafe.

Safe Shopping

We've all heard how great shopping on the Internet can be, that you can get things far cheaper, as the shops don't have to pay expensive overheads. How convenient it is - you can shop when you want to. How it's easy to compare prices, and how there are no queues and plenty of parking online!

But before you start shopping there are a number of questions you have to ask yourself.

1. Do you trust the vendor?
2. Do they have a 'secure' server?
3. What are their delivery times?
4. Can you contact them if the order goes wrong?
5. Are there any hidden charges?

Most shopping sites use some sort of shopping cart - this is your virtual trolley into which you can place items, then take them to the checkout when you want to pay. The checkout must be in a secure server in order for your transaction to be secure.

How Do I Know I'm in a Secure Server?

When you go into a secure server the key or lock in the bottom of your browser will appear locked or highlighted. The address of the web site will also change from http://www... to https://www... signifying that the site is secure.

If none of this happens, then this is not a secure server - don't enter your credit card details. Don't be afraid to email the vendor and ask them a few questions to put your mind at rest!

What Else Should I Do?

Here are a few hints about online shopping that we've learned along the way:

• Always print out your order confirmation.
• Pay by Credit Card. If something goes wrong you can have a credit card transaction reversed in legitimate circumstances.
• Order more than just one item at a time to save on delivery costs.
• Try and get your goods delivered at a time when you will be there, otherwise your package might get left with the neighbours from hell!
• Don't get carried away and spend too much!

More Help

You can get some good advice from your State's Office of Fair Trading.

One Last Word

"I'm a devoted Internet shopper - In the last few years I've bought so much online, from books and CDs to trainers and a TV"says Graham Miller, one of the founders of ShopSafe UK. "So long as you take some basic precautions you shouldn't have to worry. Don't rush in to anything - there are hundreds of shops and stores out there, and try to enjoy yourself - you can still feel the excitement of finding a bargain sitting behind a computer screen. Just don't get carried away and fill your credit card up in one go!"

The ShopSafe Privacy Policy Statement

ShopSafe is ShopSafe Pty. Ltd. acting for The ShopSafe Trust.

ShopSafe is committed to protecting your privacy and the privacy of any personal information provided to us. ShopSafe complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the National Privacy Principles.

To enable us to provide some of our services to you, we need to collect personal information from you – usually your name and email address. You may also choose to tell us your preferences and country of origin when searching ShopSafe web sites. You may also choose to provide us with your mobile phone number.

Our electronic records are maintained in password protected archives.

Our records are maintained so we can send you details of promotions or services, in which you may be interested. However, each time we send you something you have the opportunity to request that no further information be sent to you. Your personal information will then be deleted from our records.