Navigating the online marketplace can indeed be challenging. Unfortunately, e-commerce tips the advantage away from the consumer and towards very sophisticated marketers. Whether dealing with a small business on Main Street or a giant firm on Madison Avenue, it is difficult to know whom to trust or how to discern a true bargain from a real rip-off. How do you sort fact from fiction and take control of your purchasing power? And how do you protect yourself from being duped out of money or having your identity or account information stolen by hackers?

In this course we will cover critical aspects of being both a transactional and a relational shopper. We will discuss factors that can affect information perceptions and good buying decisions. And we will offer a variety of resources to enhance your ability to make safe, sharp, and savvy purchasing decisions with sellers you can trust. We will hear from expert speakers, learn about valuable resources, and engage in helpful discussion. Being a Capable Consumer will change how you respond to social media messages and how you approach online shopping experiences for products and services big and small.

Subject: economics, health, technology

Susan Adams Loyd is chief executive officer of Better Business Bureau serving Minnesota & North Dakota. Loyd is regarded as an expert in ethical business practices, customer service strategies, and consumer protection. She is passionate about educating buyers to be astute in their purchasing decisions and particularly in protecting themselves from fraud and deception. She is a frequent contributor to the media and panel discussions on factors that make certain consumers more at-risk. In her podcast series and online course, The Capable Consumer, she teaches empowering techniques and practical tips to safeguard one’s identity.