CHAPTER FOUR

Shopping

Long lines at cash counters. Even longer ones at the gift section. And not to forget the noise, mad rush and frustration during the festive days. Whew, what wouldn’t you do to escape the shopping fiascos every year? Well, fret no more, coz websites on the Internet allow you to shop from home. No need to venture out in the sun, to circle seventeen times around the parking lot only to find a spot at the furthermost end, to carry packets and bags of toys, gifts, clothes, bottles and cassettes that ultimately tear from the bottom before you have walked the mile to your car and to return back the next day to exchange the sweater and return the bottle opener! Sit back at home in the comfort of your cushioned armchair and let the goods be delivered at your doorstep! All it will take is a dash at the keyboard and a click on the mouse.

Let us shop on the Amazon website. Type in www.amazon.com in the address bar.

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The attractive Amazon website appears before you. Type in the name of the product you wish to buy and click on `Go`.

All the products on sale which concern the adorable Disneyland mouse will be displayed - books, cassettes, t-shirts, mugs, videos etc. Click on the product you wish to buy. Let us buy a Mickey Mouse DVD. Nothing better than a nice Christmas tale to watch while munching popcorn and sipping soda!

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The product will be displayed on the screen, complete with price, discount and other details. If you wish to buy it, click on the `Add to Shopping Cart` button.

Enter the quantity of the product you wish to buy and then proceed to the checkout.

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To order the product you need to enter your email address. If you are a new customer, select the first option or then the option of being a recurring customer. To secure your sale procedure, click on `Sign in using our secure server`.

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Next, you need to fill in a form by supplying details about yourself. Once you have entered the required details, click on the `Continue` button.

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You then need to select the method of shipping by which the product will be sent to you. If you are not in any great hurry to receive the product, select the `WorldMail` option by which the product will reach you in 7-26 working days. Else you can opt for the `International Priority` method by which the product will be on your doorstep in 1-4 business days. You can also ask for a gift packaging of the DVD. For that you need to select the `Edit` option.

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To ensure that you don’t need to repeat the long process of filling in your details if you once again decide to return to Amazon for shopping, enter a password. This will allow you to shop even more quickly! And take my word for it, once you shop the website way, returning to the shopping malls to stand in the long queues will be a definite no-no.

You need to select the payment method. You can pay either by credit card, cheque or money order. If you wish to pay by credit card, then you need to enter the credit card number, the expiration date and the cardholder’s name.

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But remember, only enter your credit card number if you are absolutely certain that you want to buy the product. Giving out your confidential credit card number on the net may not be such a safe exercise. The security of your private information depends on the credibility of the site from which you shop. Incase you are hesitant to disclose your credit card number, some Indian shopping sites provide you with the flexibility of paying cash on delivery. So now if you insist on buying the Walt Disney flick, then confirm your billing address and either continue with your shopping or then check out of the shopping mall.

And hey, we have not shown you what happens after you punch in your credit card number. But I am certain that you will make all the right moves to get that comic mouse on your doorstep! Just make sure you don’t go wild on your shopping spree. After all you don’t want to burn a hole in daddy’s pocket, do you?!