Safe shopping online

Shopping safely online

With so much money now being spent through the internet how do you know which are the best places to shop? Well here is my guide.

1. Don't be taken in by flashy sites that have fancy flash images. These don't show you how good a site is, just how good the web developer is.

2. Check the terms and conditions. Do they detail how returns will be dealt with, how to return items, how they will be shipped and estimated shipping times? Always check these before making a purchase.

3.If a website states " we are not responsible for any losses" then avoid like the
plague. The terms should state that delays may happen but the most important thing is how they deal with them. Sites that start off on the defensive are not showing their priority to you the customer.

4.What are the returns policy? By law if buying on the internet you have a cooling off period, walk away from any site that states only damaged or defective goods can be returned.

5. Price. Cheapest isn't always best, its worth paying a little more to be assured of good service.

6. Secure payment. Look for an SSL certificate at the checkout point to ensure you credit card payments are truly safe. Also a site that takes PayPal as well can make shopping safer as PayPal will enter into disputes on your behalf.

7.Google is your friend. Google the website name and see what comes up, chances are the shop will be top, but scroll through a page or two and see if you come across any bad feedback. Now this isn't always a bad thing thing as sometimes the site owners may have responded and will give you an idea of the manner that they will resolve things. Lots of bad comments on forums are not good though.

8. Facebook. Do they have a Facebook page or profile? This may be linked from their
website as it is getting very popular with honest retailers. Visit their page or profile and see how they interact with their customers. This is a very good way of getting a feel for the people you are about to give your money to. Do they answer their customers questions and comment on other peoples posts or do they get no feedback and just use it to list items for publicity.

9. Images on websites can be deceptive, so if unsure always email or phone the shop and ask questions. Emailing is usually the most effective as a shop worth their salt will send you extra information if they have it e.g. a clothing store may send you a detailed sizing guide or a hi res picture. If they seem put out by your request then walk away.

10. Finally, once you have found somewhere that you have had a good shopping experience with then tell your friends, put it on your blog, your website, Facebook, twitter and anywhere else you can think of. You will be helping others and show your support for the shop keepers that have gone out of their way to treat you as a valued customer

Lita Ford Turn Me On 4 Decades

New biker TV show

Due to hit the tv screens this autumn is a new show aimed and bikers and the lifestyle.

Bike Torque is an entertainment based lifestyle show, produced and presented by bikers, covering the very best action from the two-wheeled world. The new series joins all the many facets of biking culture and will deliver them in one all encompassing TV series, which is sure to entertain and enthral viewers.

All three presenters have a genuine passion for bikes – they all live and breathe them for a living. This unique understanding of what makes bikers tick will help make the show `talk-about TV,’ sparking debate wherever bikers meet up.

Covering all areas of motorcycling – not just one niche, Bike Torque will be hugely entertaining, with the presenters and their guests providing genuine humour, while covering subjects and stories that are of real interest and importance to bikers. From classic café racers and scooters to 21st century 200bhp sportsbikes, custom shows to hard-as-nails adventure biking challenges, Bike Torque will cover it all.

There is a multitude of subjects featured in the show; new bike launches, road tests, safety issues, legislation, new technology, biking events, motorcycle sport, biking skills training and the culture that defines the biking experience around the globe. The celebrity biker segment will be a regular feature in each episode with the presenters meeting and interviewing celebrity bikers from the entertainment and sports world.

The three presenters are 

Steve Berry, former Top Gear and Rock Radio presenter. Steve has been riding for donkeys years and has published articles in Streetfighters magazine.

Craig Jones has been a pro stunt rider for several years now and can famously do stoppies, wheelies, rolling burnouts and more, all whilst chatting away on his helmet mike, like it's a Sunday breakfast run.

Finaly our very own Yorkshire lad Tooty. Tooty runs Thundercity in Leeds, is a pasionate lifestyle biker and stared on the British biker build off series.

Key to the long-term success of Bike Torque will be the support it gains from the motorcycle industry and biking public. Segments of the series will be filmed at major biking events around the country, giving members of the public a chance to get involved in the show right from the start. 

Something like this has been a long time coming so lets get behind it and give it some support   

http://www.therallystall.co.uk 

For the bikers following this

Just to let you all know that Yorkshire Bikers the original bikers forum is back up and running

For meets and rideouts in Northern England pop over and have a look