Web shopping: 4 ways to protect yourself.(Money)

Odds are you don't think twice about firing up your computer and shopping online instead of at the local mall, whether you're looking to buy a DVD or a set of dishes. But let's face it, the convenience of buying on the Web comes at a price.

You don't get to examine an item closely, of course. And entering your credit-card number on an unknown site can take some courage. "With the Internet, you don't know if that flashy Web site you're looking at is a multinational organization or some kid in a garage somewhere," says Lauren Weinstein, co-founder of People for Internet Responsibility, a grassroots organization focused on Web fairness issues.

Even official seals of approval from TRUSTe, VeriSign, and the Better Business Bureau are no guarantee that you're dealing with a reputable company. Those symbols can easily be reproduced, although they may not connect you as they should to the official sites of the certifying organizations.

Scammers aren't the only problem. Many high-volume brick-and-mortar retailers that operate online impose policies for Web purchases that might make you cringe if you took the time to read them. You'll find, for example, that you have fewer protections shopping at Circuitcity.com than at a Circuit City store.

Here's how to protect yourself when shopping online:

Find the gotchas. A site's "terms and conditions" detail loads of protections--for the retailer, that is. You might discover that everything is sold "as is" or that you must abide by rules of a distant state, where you agree to go if you sue. At Target.com, you'll find that you assume the risk of loss or damage to merchandise when the shipping firm picks it up, not after delivery.

And many sites have disclaimers that seem to erase protections you get in stores. Nearly every site we checked, including Amazon.com and Walmart.com, disclaimed so-called implied warranties, unwritten assurances that products will work properly and last a reasonable amount of time.