f you were born to shop and you’re looking for the best bets for online retail, look for:

1) Specialty stores. Specialty stores generally tend to sell one type of item. For example, an online candle store may sell Trapp candles and Tocca candles as well as other types of candle products. The store wouldn’t sell clothes, DVDs, and other products. A specialty retailer is great because they usually make an effort to offer a wide variety of items within a specific area. Plus, the staff running such stores tend to be quite knowledgeable about the product they are selling. If you’re looking for a very specific or rarer item — for example if you want a specific type of the latest Seiko watches — your best bet is a specialty online retailer.

2) Stores that have been around for while or stores that have an actual brick-and-mortar business. Unfortunately, there are some fly-by-night operations on the Internet that don’t quite deliver as promised. The stores luckily don’t stay in business for very long, so stores that have been around for while likely have dedicated customers and a reputation to uphold. A store that has an actual brick-and-mortar business — even a business that is new — is also a more likely bet. That’s because a brick-and-mortar location shows that the business has at least invested in a property and intends to stay for while.

3) Stores that respond to your correspondence and questions quickly. If you’re looking for a great store, try sending an e-mail or calling the business. If you get a response quickly and that response is friendly and professional, that’s a great sign. Be wary of the store that never responds to your request. You simply have no way of knowing whether they will be just as tardy in fulfilling your order.

4) Stores that don’t have a lot of negative press. Lots of stores have very positive reviews, thanks to the fact that they pay someone to write great reviews for them. A store with lots of positive online reviews doesn’t necessarily mean much these days. However, a store with a lot of negative customer reviews is always something to be wary of.

5) Stores with clear fine print. And always read store policies about sharing customer information, customer privacy, rebates, refunds, and defective products. A good store will have a clear return policy and a clear conflict resolution policy as well as policies in general that are largely to your advantage. If a store refuses to accept refunds or returns — even on products that have arrived damaged or missing — avoid that store.

6) Stores with reasonable delivery date. You should have a general idea of when your item will arrive, and that item should arrive as promised. The item that arrives should be what you ordered and should be in good shape. Look out for stores that make huge promises that they can’t possibly keep – such as genuine designer handbags for only a few dollars. Also, look out for stores that do not allow you to track your purchase and cannot offer you any information about when a product was shipped or when it will arrive.