Is online shopping worth it?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
November 3, 2011 5:13pm CST
Do you prefer online shopping to regular in-store shopping?
Like most people, I am in full "Christmas Shopping" mode. Every week I look for items I could potentially purchase as Christmas gifts, and grab up anything that looks interesting. I'm not nearly done yet, of course, but at least I'm off to an okay start.
Well recently I was talking to a friend about Black Friday shopping (a huge day of sales here in the U.S.) and the friend mentioned that the retail store she works for will begin their sales probably around midnight that day.
Now, I don't normally shop at this particular store, so I'm not really familiar with what types of clothing brands they sell, etc. So I decided today to look at the store's website to get an idea of what I might find at the store. The first thing I did when I found the website was click on the big ad for clearanced items.. definitely a favorite habit of mine! Unfortunately I'm not really in the market for summer clothes, which is obviously what is currently on clearance.. but I did end up coming across something that I thought my daughter would love! It's a plain white t-shirt with a plain design on it, and the t-shirt comes with markers and she gets to color in the design. It was clearanced down to $8.80, and I thought that was a good deal. After browsing a little longer and not finding anything else of interest, I checked out. After tax and shipping, I paid $10.22 for the t-shirt. Considering the typical prices of this store, that is definitely a good deal.
But then I got to wondering.. would I have saved money if I'd just gone to the actual store and hoped to find this item in the right size? I at least would have saved on the cost of shipping.
Another benefit of actually visiting the store is it's easier to browse through other items you might be interested in. I find online browsing to be more of a pain. You have to click through pages and pages of things instead of just viewing a rack or display. Plus, the web pages are organized based on gender, age, size, etc. Well I've got 5 kids of various ages. I want to browse more than just one particular age or type. That's why in store browsing is easier for me.
Of course I know there are a lot of things online that are not offered in stores, so sometimes it's worth a look. But again, do the shipping prices make it worth it? I like how Walmart offers a "site to store" shipping option which is free.
But for me, I think in-store shopping is the best method for me. I like to be able to physically see the items I'm purchasing, especially clothes so that I can judge if they'll fit correctly (or try them on if they're for myself). Online shopping is something I'll really only do once in a great while, and generally the only reason I ever visit a store's website is to get an idea of products or prices.
Which do you prefer and why? What was your last online purchase? Did you get a deal on it, or would you have saved money by visiting the store?
2 people like this
13 responses
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
5 Nov 11
I do shop online when they have their clearance sales at the end of your summer. It is a huge store and I have shopped with them for years so I know my sizes etc. Last month they had a clearance sale and I ordered outfits for all my grands at under US10 and a couple of things for me. Jeans at US13 and two new cotton shirts to wear to work.The shipping is high but the quality is excellent and I have never been let down by the store. To me, as the price of clothes is exorbitant out here, I prefer to pay the shipping (not express!) and I still save money. Contract not signed yet but I think that all will be well. Contract being circulated to all Board Members. will keep you informed!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I'll bet the shipping is really expensive.. but if you still save money after all that, then it's well worth it.
I can't wait to hear the news that you have the new job!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Nov 11
Well I wish they'd hurry up and let you know so you can stop fretting about it! Your boss is such a jerk.. you will be so happy when you're able to leave that place for good!
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
6 Nov 11
The shipping is about US$20 so it is expensive. All hell has broken out as my boss heard about the other place wanting me. So he got his wife to call me saying that they knew that I had applied for the job. I told the truth and said that I had not applied for any job but the complex had come to me asking me if I was interested in managing this complex.. I also said that no contract had been signed and if it had then I would have phoned her husband and told him. My boss has not responded to my work related emails or called me. My prospective new boss has sent my contract to the other director's to get their approval and I was to get a copy. This has not happened yet
So I am between a rock and a hard place. I am not discussing this with my boss as I have not signed a contract or resigned. I think that he is mad at me as he would have liked to have been the one to sack me.
So as I have not resigned then I am just still doing my work. I'll keep you updated. If I don't get the new job and leave he will make my life a living hell.
So I am between a rock and a hard place. I am not discussing this with my boss as I have not signed a contract or resigned. I think that he is mad at me as he would have liked to have been the one to sack me. So as I have not resigned then I am just still doing my work. I'll keep you updated. If I don't get the new job and leave he will make my life a living hell.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
4 Nov 11
The last thing I bought was sunscreen using some online gc's I had earned. Yeah fab purchase worth bragging about right. We needed it and I didn't have the cash and I paired it up with a father's day gift for hubby to get the free shipping.
They do offer the kiosk so you can order online to send to your home w/o paying shipping. And if you are really bored you can shop a kiosk at Mitchell International Airport.. provided they've been installed ;0)
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 11
The shipping was only $0.99 so I'm not complaining too much. Plus that particular store isn't all that close to me, so it did save me a trip out there, and I'd never seen a shirt like that anywhere else before, so I'm not really dissappointed. I know one time I was going to buy some pajamas for hubby at K-Mart but didn't have enough cash, so I came home to order them online and they were cheaper online than they were at the store. Even after shipping I saved a couple bucks.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
4 Nov 11
Sunscreen? Just wondering how much is the cost and if theirs no shipping fees then how can they earn? I mean sunscreen is really that much expensive and its okay if you bought it by bulk. But if you only one one sunscreen then I guess they really going to deliver it free by loss. right?
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
4 Nov 11
Besides Amazon, the last purchase was a piano book. I have to pay shipping and handling, but there is no music store besides for guitar players near where I live. I would have had to get a bus or get someone to drive me way across town. And it would have cost me the same amount that I had to pay in shipping and handling. Now with clothes, it would be easier, but I also wear a plus size and sometimes there are nothing in my colour. I had to buy a pair of boots that were shorter then I wanted, because here in my city, there are no knee length boots in my size, I have a wide foot but a narrow ankle. I do not have a wide calf, I would be better ordering one online and telling them my measurments, but it is way too expensive.
So it depends on what you want.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
5 Nov 11
Let me say it is better then taking a bus or getting a ride or taking a whole day to get to a store that sells piano and vocal sheet music. They do give a good idea of what you are buying online, and of course, there are reviews frm other purchasers.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
4 Nov 11
As long you feel secure in buying online. Its good. But for me its still better to walk and go to the mall. Because its added exercise. But its just me I think. As long I'm happy with things I buy when I go to the mall and walk and shop.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
9 Nov 11
The last online shopping I did was for a camera lens cover. It's a bit difficult to find, and since it was very light, it was more economical to buy it online. If it's hard to find items, then I would definitely prefer online shopping.
But for clothes and anything that would be worn, I would prefer to be in the store. I'm always suspicious about clothes and the standards they use for sizes so it's always better for me to buy it in store.
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
4 Nov 11
My last online purchase was a internet receiver with the antenna.
Online purchasing is very good because I can get certain items which are not available in my local market.
Moreover, we can view the online catalogs without any rush at our convenient.
However, we must ensure the sellers are reliable and they will send us the goods after we have made a payment.
So far, I only do my purchases at the both sites, ebay and lelong.
I hope I can get more similar online sites for my better selection.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
4 Nov 11
Wow. You really buy things online? Me I also buy using ebay. But sometime theirs a hidden problems when you buy in ebay. That why when I but its COD. I don't pay online. We meet and that seller show me his good and I buy it and that's how I do online purchasing. But I never do online purchasing all the way like paying using my creditcard an wait until its delivered to me.
@Rosa26 (2616)
• United States
4 Nov 11
My last purchase online was when I got my payment from mylot I a nice set of aromatics candles and yes because I bought it online I saved sometning not much but something.
But I realy prefer buy my things right the in the store becasue I like to see what I am buyin first.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
4 Nov 11
What site do you use to buy things online? Me I never bought anything online. The closes things I bought online is through ebay. And I don't pay online its cash on delivery. So in short we meet up and that's the time I pay the things I bought online. And since its a toys for a small boys that I bought. Lols. It really not that dangerous. lols.
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I find online shopping in some ways to be a real time saver, but I do not have as many to shop for as you do. I got some nice, new, bowling shoes, bag and towel on eBay last year for my husband for Christmas, less expensive than I could imagine, even with shipping. I was looking at spending over 100 in a shop, but spent around %65. For my son, I had a bit of a disappointment. Not in the actual product, but it just was back ordered and did not come until July or August. It was BDU pants, but he needs a 32x36 and you cannot find them except online or maybe at a specialty store, and who knows how much gas you spend going for it. For my daughter I use a website where I can get out of print books. Then of course, there are my Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks, I have to spend there. I already know what hubby wants this year and it is from LL Bean. You will notice that I do not mention shopping for me, though.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I'm the same way. I get stuff for myself when I need it, and usually it's thrift store stuff, which I have no problem with. I have been buying myself some stuff recently, only because I need more work clothes and shoes, but aside from that everything I buy is for them.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I could go either way. I only shop online if I know I'm getting a better deal then if I got it in the store. Or if it's the same as in the store with shipping then I'll still order it because it saves me gas money and time to go get it. For clothes I try not to buy online because most the time the clothes don't fit. I just bought myself jeans from two different places and even thought I bought my size and the ones I have at home in that same size are a little lose, neither pair fit me. Grr. I hate that.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Nov 11
I will never buy clothes without trying them on first!
@leeloo (1492)
• Portugal
4 Nov 11
Shopping online has it's advantages, it is possible to have various sites open and check for the best deal on a product you want and it can also be done at any time of day or night while avoiding the confusion that stores become when they go on sale. The problem becomes when wanting to browse, sites are annoying if you just want to have a look round. You need to know what your looking for because it can be endless pages of products you may not be interested in, last week I was looking for a printer cartridge and they did not have a search button on the specific site, which meant I had to go through endless pages of different brands and colours only to find that not only was it more expensive it was out of stock. I do go to online stores quite often to compare prices, from groceries to clothes and electronic components, but I like actually seeing what I am buying beforehand, even if later on I may buy it online, I know what I am buying.
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Last year I did almost all my shopping online but I had specific items to buy. Like my granddaughter wanted bath and body stuff specific fragrance. And they had free shipping. I got alot of that last year. If it were for clothes then I probably would do instore. But most of my gifts are gift cards as most of it has to be shipped.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Nov 11
I guess that works out well if you're going to ship it anyway. Save yourself the trouble and just have it shipped directly to them from the store's website.
@sender621 (14889)
• United States
4 Nov 11
I enjoy shopping online. I think it is worth the task. It is easy and convenient. You can still get the same bargains if you know where to look for them. shopping online can be a very happy experience.@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
4 Nov 11
I don't know why its a happy experience but for me its a nightmare. first I don't know the actual look until I receive it. Two if I want to return theirs too much hassle. Three its costly. I prefer to guy on whole seller store. Much safer and at least I can bargain and same time check it before buying it.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
4 Nov 11
I like shopping problem is money, money, money, Anyway the less money I have the more I seek and find cheaper way to buy good things. I mean I usually go to the wholesaler and buy in bulk. Since its christmas I give the same give to all the males friends and same also to all females friends. In this way I only need to buy two sets of gifts. But of course if your someone special to me you will receive special things also. he he he.
@zralte (4176)
• India
4 Nov 11
I love online shopping. I buy whatever I can online. I look for free shipping, but I don't mind paying the shipping if it is astronomical.
However, I don't usually buy clothing online. I prefer to see the material and if it is for myself, try it on for size, etc. I would buy clothing online only if it is a brand I know well, and the size that I know fits me.
Online shopping offers the flexibility as in I don't have to know the opening hours. I can buy anything anytime from the comfort of my home.
Not only that, I can compare from different shops and get the best deal.
The only thing is, in India, most online shops don't put a lot of information on the page
. Most of the time the reason I don't buy is because of lack of information.
Not only that, I can compare from different shops and get the best deal.
The only thing is, in India, most online shops don't put a lot of information on the page. Most of the time the reason I don't buy is because of lack of information.@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 11
I can see how a lack of information would make it difficult to commit you to make the purchase.
