Women's plus size swimwear and lingerie - nine tips for online shopping

Shopping online now should be fun and easy. There are nine useful tips for you to buy plus size swimwear or lingerie on the internet with no pain:

- Look for a business registration number to see if the website is legitimate through their business registration with their countries governments. For instance, in Australia, a genuine business should have an ABN number (Australian Business Number). Usually, the ABN is located at the top or bottom of the website Home page

- Having anti-virus or anti-spyware and firewall programs on your computer will also served as protection from scams (e.g. McAfee anti-virus gives "Safe or Phishing" indications right next to websites' titles on search results)

- Stay away from cheap offers that are doubtful or suspicious. If they sound too good to be true, then they usually are.

- Ask your friends, relatives for their advice or any experience whether they have had great or terrible customer service from the company; or simply see if there are real testimonials from customers' experience which are stated on the website.

Before purchasing swimwear or lingerie online, make sure you do your homework:

- Look at the company refund/return for exchange policy. If they make the process difficult by questioning customers before they accept the return, then stay away. For lingerie which includes panties or g-string, most online sellers will not accept return due to health regulation; therefore you should check their lingerie size chart before you purchase the item.

- Know your body shape (by standing in front of your full length mirror in underwear or tight clothes) and size. It is best if you know your bust, waist, hips measurements because different manufacturers/brands/designers have different sizing system.

- If you have any questions about the swimwear or lingerie which you intend to buy, send an email to the seller to get their answers before you make a payment, do not assume they know what you want.

- On the check out system, double check your postal details especially your post code to make sure they are correct, if you mistakenly put a wrong post code number then the goods delivery from the post office will be delayed or the parcel may simply go to a wrong place.

- Keep your order confirmation email and any payment record until you have received the product.