Buying shower curtains online is not a difficult project. In fact, one of the things that makes online shopping so appealing is the ease of finding just what you want and having it delivered right to your door. Many people are still concerned about whether or not it is really safe to buy online and whether or not the right product will arrive when it is promised. To help put your mind at ease there are some tips to get you through the process.

The following are tips taken from my experience and advice gleened from those experiences. Hopefully they will help you have a successful online shopping experience.

1. Always make sure that a Web site is secure before providing any financial information, such as credit card or a bank account number. Secured Web sites use encryption to scramble your information as it is transmitted over the Internet.

How do you identify a secured Web site?
· Look for Web site addresses preceded by "https".
· Look for a yellow or golden closed lock or an unbroken key at the bottom of your browser window.
2. If you are still uncomfortable with providing your billing information through the Internet, ask the company about alternate methods of ordering, such as the telephone.
3. Whenever possible, consider paying by credit card, which offers additional protection in case of a dispute.
4. If paying by credit card is not an option, request that the goods be sent C.O.D. and make payment by check or money order, which is easier to trace than cash.
5. Consider checking with the Better Business Bureau local to the business for a reliability report. Information in the report includes the length of time the company has been in business, the company's complaint history and whether the business participates in BBB programs, such as dispute mediation.
6. While there is no denying the increasing popularity of online auctions, New Yorkers must exercise the same caution they apply to physical world transactions. Here are some points you should watch for when participating in online auctions:
· Some online auction houses only act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers during the bidding process and do not get involved in arranging for shipment and payment. Be sure to ask about such arrangements in advance.

· Online auction houses often will not resolve disputes. Consider using an escrow service, which can minimize your risk.

· Keep copies of advertisements, descriptions, or auction site printouts for any product you purchase.

· Keep copies of any correspondence you have with a buyer or seller (including e-mail).