Hidden Costs

You'll find plenty of discounted items online, but if you're not careful, you could end up paying more at the checkout line than you would in a real store. That's because Websites like to keep added costs hidden until you're almost done with your shopping.

What sort of hidden costs? Well the biggest of the bunch is shipping and handling. Depending on how fast you want your item delivered (from regular mail to overnight delivery), shipping can add some serious dollars. Unfortunately, it's a way of Internet life. Sure some sites occasionally offer free shipping (especially around the holidays), but for the most part you're gonna have to shell out those extra bucks for the convenience of not running to the store. But if an item's discount is larger than the shipping, great, you're in business. Also, it's in your best interest to buy several items at once to help cut down on shipping costs.

Other hidden costs? Well, they can range from sales tax to restocking fees. Just make sure you understand every cost that's added to your order before you finalize the deal. If you're confused, uneasy or have any questions, don't place the order. Contact the site's customer service first and ask any questions you may have. Hey, it's better to be safe than sorry.