A. Create a Unique Email Account for Online Shopping

We’ve found it extremely useful to have a special email account for shopping. Chances are, your ISP (Internet Service Provider, like Verizon, Comcast or Sympatico) allows you to have multiple email addresses. By creating a unique mailbox for your shopping accounts, all your coupons, receipts, purchase confirmations, shipping details, etc. will be in one easy to find place.

ISP email accounts are the best to use for online shopping because merchants know that, if anything goes wrong, these big companies have your information and know where to track you down. That makes sense. Understandably, not all retailers are keen on allowing registrations from people with free/public email addresses (Hotmail, Yahoo!, etc), because all you need is a name. Not even a real name. Make sure you can win before you begin: Pay for and use a unique email address.

Many ISPs will allow you to purchase email accounts without having to pay for Internet access. Verizon Wireless is one – CLICK HERE for a special rate.

SECRET SUGGESTION: The PRINT button is your friend – printing things out is your protection against Murphy (he of Murphy’s L-A-W) Having a hard copy of receipts, transactions and even the “last step before you buy” can be invaluable in a number of situations, including tracking your order or providing proof if a merchant makes an error in your order. Especially during peak shopping and holiday periods – when you’re busy buying and stores are swamped with customers, PRINT, PRINT, PRINT! You’ll be glad you did.