AutoNavDirect.com has compiled a list of things for you to look for while you are shopping online. This list will give you the knowledge of what to look for when you are price comparing on the internet.

Reachable by Phone or Mail
Make sure you are dealing with a site that has a physical address and a contact number for customer service. A website that does not give a contact number usually results in very poor customer service.

Talk with a Live Person
Take advantage of the contact number and call the company, as it is the best way to truly get a feel for a company.

All Inclusive Pricing
Make sure to inquire what the total price of the item is going to be including shipping and handling, insurance, and sales tax, if applicable. Many sites initially list items at lower prices and then end up charging an arm and a leg for shipping.

Customer Service is Important
Remember, while you are buying a product online, you also want to get good customer service. Some sites with really low prices also result in some of the poorest customer service online.

Always pay with a credit card online to protect your purchase.
Never mail cash to a business when you are looking to order online.

Review the return policy
Watch out for sites that list certain items as all sales final and no returns. If they are not accepting returns, there is a reason why and it’s probably because they are going to sell you something different from what you expected.

Restocking Fees
When comparing sites it’s always good to know if you are going to be dealing with a site that has restocking fees. One site might have a lower price for a product, but if they have a 5% restocking fee in the case where you want to return the product, then the price difference might be worth it to just go with a site that may have a slightly higher price, but that does not have any restocking fees.

ResellerRatings.com
Use this site to check out what others thought about the companies you are comparing. This site is designed to let potential customers know what past customers thought about their experience with that business. You want to deal with a company that has a good reputation and very few negative comments, preferably none at all.

Bait and Switch Scams
In the electronic industry there appears to be a lot of companies that operate the practice of bait and switch scams. What happens is that these companies offer a really low price for an item (bait) and then they will call you after you have already placed your order to try to get you to spend more money on accessories that should already come with the item. In most cases when you refuse to buy the added accessories, they will say the item is out of stock and they will refuse to sell you the item. If this happens, we highly recommend contact your credit card company to report the problem merchant. Anytime you are looking at a site be extra cautious of whom you are dealing with. Use Resellerratings.com as a reference to check out sites. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Grey market
These are items that are not supposed to be sold in the USA, yet are sometimes imported anyway into the states to be sold. Since these items are supposed to be sold in other countries, you will not get a USA warranty with it and, therefore, in essence, are getting an item with no warranty. In the event you come across a site with significantly lower prices, there is a chance that they could be selling grey market items.