Nowadays, consumers can buy nearly any product online - from food to electronics, from insurance policies to pets. The world of electronic commerce, also known as e-commerce, enables shoppers to visit thousands of online stores and pay for their purchases without leaving the comfort of home.

Here are some important things to remember when you shop online for bike parts, or anything else:

• Shop at secure and known websites
• Research the website before ordering anything and verify the contact address
• Read the website's Privacy and Security Policies
• Never give out your Social Security Number
• Keep your privacy (password, disclose only the necessary bare facts about yourself)
• Don't fall for "Phishing" messages
• Always print or save copies of your orders
• Learn the merchant's cancellation, return and complaint-handling policies
• Pay attention to shipping facts
• Be aware of dynamic pricing and auctions

For more details, visit: www.safeshopping.org