People think that they are safe with a credit card so they can do a "chargeback" if they don't like the product.  I have bad news for you.  Sometimes doing a chargeback is one of the worst things you can do.  Some dealers feel that they have the right to do whatever they want with your credit card info if you feel the need to "return or charge back" the merchandise. 

Way too many online dealers have been using this practice to pay for their advertising, their sites upkeep, and even their own spending.  The safest way to ensure a product in our opinion here is COD.  Hands down. 

That way you are at least one step above the rest.  You have the product in your hand before a cent is paid to the dealer.  If you were to just purchase with a credit card online, they already have you.  They basically can decide if they want to send you something or not.  They also can decide if they want to sell your info.  Information like a "good credit card" your address, etc is worth money to these people.  And the scary thing, is that it doesn't have to happen right when you provide your info. 

They can hang onto your credit info for as long as they want.  Some dealers have been reported to hold credit card info for a year, and then mass distribute the info around.  They feel that by this time, the "theft" is less likely to be traced back to them.

The scary thing is that "Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Approximately, 19.8 million Americans (one in twenty adults) have been victimized by identity theft as of April 2008, according to research by Star Systems." 

Who do you think helps to contribute to these numbers?  What is your identity worth to you?  These are some things you need to ask yourself when even considering buying with a credit card.