It doesn’t matter whether you are buying card making materials or cushion covers – how do you know that the website you are using is safe and will deliver the goods to your door?

An internet craft supplies store that I used to shop with (before I had my own card making website) went out of business about 18 months ago which was very sad. A few months ago, I saw that the website was still operational and decided to see if I could buy items on it and yes, I could. I’m sure this was just an oversight as it was a really good company (I’ve just checked and that website is now closed down) but it did make me wonder just how many sites there are out there where the company stopped trading but forgot to close down the website.

So how do you tell if it’s safe to shop? Here are a few pointers.

1. When was the website last updated? If their home page is advertising their January sale and it’s April, or telling you about their new “just in” Easter decoupage sheets and it’s August then steer clear.

2. Is there an address on the website? If there is no address or telephone number then don’t have anything to do with it. Also, beware of sites that only have a mobile phone number and no other contact method.

3. If there is an address does it actually exist? This can easily be checked by going to the Royal Mail website and entering the postcode. Craftsite not only gives you the full address it even has a map showing you how to get there. So, if there’s something you are not happy about you can come and tell us in person!

4. Contact them. No-one at Craftsite minds in the least if you send a contact form or telephone us. We understand that some people are nervous about dealing with a website that they’ve never used before – maybe they’ve had problems in the past. If you use the contact form, please put your first name in as we, and I would think many other online retailers, don’t respond to anonymous contacts. And the wait and see if you get a response.

5. Keep in contact. You’ve spoken to them before, you received your goods, the items you recived were fine, and you know the site is reliable . But are they still in business? Just an email to say hi or a question about a product you are thinking about buying or perhaps, now and then placing an order and paying by phone so you have human contact.

6. Look for the padlock sysmbol on the payments screen. This is the screen where you enter your credit card details – not the screen where you enter your name and address. There should be a padlock symbol appearing at the bottom of the screen – if there isn’t then you are not using a secure server so do not proceed. Go and shop elsewhere. Be warned, all the padlock symbol does is denote the safety of the server and the banks, all big known companies, who operate these will take your money even if the company has recently ceased trading – and they won’t give it back to you. Which brings me to the next point………………..

6. Pay by credit card or PayPal. Don’t use a debit card. At least with a credit card or PayPal you can make a claim if things go badly wrong.