For shoppers that wish to save money – and which shopper does not wish to save money – internet shopping is the ideal way to achieve the goal.
Prices in online stores are extremely competitive in comparison to the traditional brick-and-more type store you find in the mall or the high street.
With the advent of price-comparison websites, it’s even easier to deal hunt.
Then, when trying to find the best place to buy – the store with the best reputation – or the best product, you simply need to read through some online reviews.
Many online shopping stores don’t pass along sales tax to the shopper, unless it’s a state requirement. So there are further savings to be made this way, too.
We’ve already highlighted a few advantages of internet shopping. What about some others?
Advantages of Internet Shopping
1 Online stores rarely close. You can shop 24 hours a day.
2 Shoppers are at liberty to shop from the comfort of their own homes.
3 There’s no gas to pay, and no parking fees (or parking-related hassles) to pay as an online shopper.
4 You can forget the experience of crowded shopping stores or having to wait in lengthy queues.
5 Internet shopping means you don’t have to worry about aggressive salespeople getting in your face.
6 Online sales representatives frequently have far more flexibility when it comes to beating out their competitors’ pricing, applying money-off coupons, and expediting shipping at zero cost to the customer.
Disadvantages of Internet Shopping
1 There are times when a great-looking deal is not quite the same great-looking deal as was advertised.
2 To get in touch with a shop manager can be much easier to do in local stores.
3 If you’re dissatisfied with the service, the product, or something else, it can be difficult to communicate it online. At local stores, problem solving can be easier and far quicker.
4 Internet shoppers can’t physically inspect a product before purchasing.
5 Internet shoppers can lose out on the power of face-to-face negotiation as a way of reducing the price.
6 While regular online shoppers know the legitimate internet stores, those shoppers that don’t shop online often may not.
7 Internet stores (or private individuals selling online such as on eBay) can sometimes advertise very cheap or even free products. In order to make a profit, they add on excess shipping and handling charges which, to be honest, is rather poor practice.
All in All
To decide whether online shopping is right for you will depend on which of the above points are more important.
If you seek convenience and lower pricing, internet shopping is ideal.
On the other hand, if you prefer being able to touch, smell, feel or to try out a product before you buy, then local stores provide you with those options.
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